Vomiting or inability to tolerate prescribed antibiotics Signs of dehydration (very dark or little urine, excessive thirst, dry mouth, dizziness) Symptoms that do not improve within 48 hours of starting treatmentĪ fever that goes away but returns after starting treatment When you should call your healthcare providerĬall the doctor if your child has any of the following: Cranberry juice may help relieve some pain symptoms. Give your child plenty of fluids to drink. This can put your child at risk of a serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.Īsk your doctor about other medications that can be prescribed to relieve painful urination. Do not give aspirin to a child with a fever. Do not give ibuprofen to an infant who is less than 6 months of age, or to a child who is dehydrated or constantly vomiting. Give your child over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to manage pain and fever. You can do the following at home to relieve your child’s symptoms: Make sure your child takes ALL of the medication even if he or she starts feeling better. The doctor will prescribe antibiotics for your child. Symptoms of a UTI generally go away within 24 to 72 hours of starting treatment. How is a urinary tract infection treated? You’ll be told more about this, if needed. If your child has severe symptoms, other tests may be done. If a UTI is suspected, the doctor will likely start treatment even before lab results come back. It can take 1 to 3 days to get results of a urine culture. The urine is also sent for a culture, a test that identifies what bacteria is growing in the urine. For this test, a urine sample is needed to check for bacteria and other signs of infection. Your child is examined.Ī lab test, such as a urinalysis, is done. The doctor asks about your child’s symptoms and health history. How is a urinary tract infection diagnosed? If your child has a UTI affecting the kidneys (pyelonephritis), symptoms are similar to those of a bladder infection. If your child has a UTI affecting the bladder (cystitis), symptoms can include:ĭaytime wetting or nighttime bedwetting when previously continent What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?

As a result, girls are more likely than boys to get UTIs. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter. The urinary tracts of boys and girls are slightly different. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria that enter the urinary tract through the urethra. The urethra carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. Ureters carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Kidneys filter waste from the blood and make urine. The following body parts make up the urinary tract: But with treatment, most children recover with no lasting effects. Children often get UTIs that affect the bladder. The urinary tract is made up of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. When Your Child Has a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)Ī urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection in the urinary tract.

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