Parent & Patient Information System 06/09/2015 Page4 / 51 child may seem irritable, begin to feed poorly, or vomit. Sometimes the only symptom is a fever that seems to appear for no reason and doesn't go away. In older kids and adults, symptoms can reveal which part of the urinary tract is infected. In a bladder infection, the child may have pain, burning and stinging sensation when urinating. An increased urge to urinate or frequent urination is another sign. Wetting problems, even though the child is toilet trained may occur. Low back pain or abdominal pain in the area of the bladder are additional symptoms. Last but not least urine may look cloudy or contain blood and foulsmelling. Many of these symptoms are also seen in a kidney infection, but the child often appears more ill and there is more likely to be fever with shaking chills, pain in the side or back, severe fatigue, or vomiting. In infants and toddlers, frequent diaper changes can help prevent the spread of bacteria that cause UTIs. When kids begin to self-care, it's important to teach them good hygiene. After every bowel movement, girls should remember to wipe from front to rear to prevent germs from spreading from the rectum to the urethra. Kids should also be taught not to "hold it in" when they have to go because urine that remains in the bladder gives bacteria a good place to grow. School-age girls should avoid bubble baths and strong soaps that might cause irritation, and they should also wear cotton underwear instead of nylon because it's less likely to encourage bacterial growth. Other ways to decrease the risk of UTIs include drinking enough fluids and avoiding caffeine, which can irritate the bladder. In case of a child diagnosed with VUR the doctor's treatment plan to prevent recurrent UTIs should be followed strictly. Most UTIs are cured within a week with proper medical treatment. Recurrences are common in certain kids with urinary abnormalities, those who have problems emptying their bladders (such as children with spina bifida), or those with very poor toilet and hygiene habits. Diagnosis After performing a physical exam and asking about symptoms, your doctor may take a urine sample to check for and identify bacteria causing the infection. How a sample is taken depends on how old your child is. Older kids might simply need to urinate into a sterile cup.
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