UTIs: Prevention And Treatment Tips

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the bladder (cystitis) and sometimes the kidneys (pyelonephritis). UTIs are caused by bacteria, most often E. coli, which enter the bladder by traveling up the urethra. In general, this is protected, but if the opening of the urethra (or the vulva in girls) becomes irritated, bacteria can grow there. It is important to treat UTIs so the kidneys are not damaged. Common irritants are bubble bath, shampoos and careless wiping after a bowel movement.Symptoms include:

• Painful urination
• An urgent need to urinate
• Frequent urination
• Daytime and nighttime wetting
• Dribbling
• Foul-smelling urine
• Blood in the urine
• Irritability
• Fever
• Stomach aches (especially lower abdomen)
• Vomiting

UTIs rarely become serious enough to take your child to the emergency room. Here are a few things you can do to take care of your child during this time:

• Antibiotics prescribed by your pediatrician
• Adequate hydration with extra fluids
• Fever and pain relief
• Medical follow-up
• Instructions for collecting a midstream, clean-catch urine specimen at home

Preventing urinary tract infections from the start can help keep stress and worry away. Below are more tips on how to prevent UTIs:

• When your child bathes, wash the genital area with water, not soap.
• Don't use bubble bath before puberty; it's extremely irritating. Don't put shampoo or other soaps into the bath water.
• Keep bath time less than 15 minutes. Your child should urinate after baths.
• Teach your daughter to wipe herself correctly from front to back, especially after a bowel movement.
• Try not to let your child become constipated.
• Encourage your child to drink enough fluids each day to keep the urine almost crystal clear.
• Encourage your child to urinate at least every 3 to 4 hours during the day and not "hold back."
• Your daughter should wear loose cotton underpants.
• If your child starts and stops her urine stream while going to the bathroom, special training may help her to empty her bladder smoothly.

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