How do i know if my child has a uti

Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, & Diagnosis

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

How Do Kids Get UTIs?

It happens when bacteria from their skin or poop get into the urinary tract and multiply. These nasty germs can cause infections anywhere in the urinary tract, which is made up of the:

Kidneys, which filter wastes and extra water out of the blood to make urine
Ureters, which send urine from the kidneys into the bladder
Bladder, which stores urine
Urethra, which empties urine from the bladder out of the body

A bladder infection is called cystitis. A kidney infection is called pyelonephritis.

Girls are more likely to get UTIs than boys are because their urethra is shorter. Bacteria from the anus can more easily get into the vagina and urethra.

Some kids have a problem with their bladder or kidneys that makes them more likely to get UTIs. Narrowing in the urinary tract can block urine flow and allow germs to multiply. A condition called vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) can cause urine to back up from the bladder into the ureters and kidneys.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms?

In older kids, the symptoms are often clear. The main symptoms are pain in the lower belly, back, or side and an urgent need to pee or pee more often. Some kids who already have been toilet trained lose control over their bladder, and may wet the bed. You may even see drops of blood in the urine, and/or the urine is pink.

With younger children, you might need to do a little digging to find out what's wrong. Infants can have more general symptoms, like fussiness, little interest in food, or a fever.

Other symptoms of a UTI include:

Burning or pain when your child pees
Foul-smelling or cloudy pee
An urgent need to go, and then only peeing a few drops
Fever
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

How Is It Diagnosed?

If your child has symptoms of a UTI, see your pediatrician. The doctor will take a urine sample and test it for bacteria. They can collect urine in a number of ways:

Older children can pee into a cup (doctors call this a “clean catch”).
Younger children who aren't toilet trained will have a plastic bag placed over their genitals to collect the urine.
Children who wear diapers can have a tube (catheter) inserted into their urethra and bladder to collect the sample.
In infants, the doctor can place a needle straight into the bladder through the stomach to get the sample.

At the lab, a technician looks at the sample under a microscope to see whether germs are in the urine. It might also be cultured -- that means the lab tech places the urine in a dish to see what type of bacteria grow in it. This can help your doctor find the exact germs that caused your child’s UTI so they’ll know the right type of medicine to prescribe to kill them.

If your child has had a few UTIs, your doctor might refer you to a nephrologist (kidney specialist) and do one or more of these imaging tests to look for problems in the urinary tract:

Ultrasound uses sound waves to show any blockages or other problems in the kidneys
Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) places fluid into the bladder through a tube to show any problems in the urethra or bladder when your child pees
Nuclear scan uses liquids that contain a small amount of radioactive material to see how well the kidneys work
CT, or computed tomography, is a powerful X-ray that makes detailed pictures of the bladder and kidneys
MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, uses powerful magnets and radio waves to make pictures of the bladder and kidneys

What Are the Treatments for UTIs?

Antibiotics, mainly. These medications kill bacteria. Kids usually take them for anywhere from 3 to 10 days (most commonly 7-10 days). Your doctor might do another urine test after your child finishes the medicine to see if the infection has cleared up.

Make sure your child finishes all of their meds, even if they start to feel better. Stopping too soon can make germs resistant to antibiotics and cause another infection.

Most UTIs clear up in about a week. Some kids will have symptoms for a few weeks. Call your doctor if your child's symptoms don't start to improve after 3 days from when they started on antibiotics, or if they get worse.

How Can You Prevent UTIs in the Future?

Change your baby's diapers often to prevent bacteria from growing. As your child gets older, teach them good bathroom habits to prevent UTIs. Instruct girls to wipe from front to back. This helps to prevent bacteria in poop from getting into the vagina and urinary tract. Encourage your kids to go to the bathroom as soon as they feel the urge -- not to hold it in.

Girls should avoid bubble baths and should not use perfumed soaps. And, they should wear cotton underwear -- not nylon -- to improve airflow and prevent bacteria from growing.

Have your kids drink lots of water, which helps flush bacteria out of the urinary tract. Extra water also prevents constipation, which can create blockages in the urinary tract that allow bacteria to grow.

Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, & Diagnosis

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

How Do Kids Get UTIs?

It happens when bacteria from their skin or poop get into the urinary tract and multiply. These nasty germs can cause infections anywhere in the urinary tract, which is made up of the:

Kidneys, which filter wastes and extra water out of the blood to make urine
Ureters, which send urine from the kidneys into the bladder
Bladder, which stores urine
Urethra, which empties urine from the bladder out of the body

A bladder infection is called cystitis. A kidney infection is called pyelonephritis.

Girls are more likely to get UTIs than boys are because their urethra is shorter. Bacteria from the anus can more easily get into the vagina and urethra.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms?

With younger children, you might need to do a little digging to find out what's wrong. Infants can have more general symptoms, like fussiness, little interest in food, or a fever.

Other symptoms of a UTI include:

Burning or pain when your child pees
Foul-smelling or cloudy pee
An urgent need to go, and then only peeing a few drops
Fever
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

How Is It Diagnosed?

If your child has symptoms of a UTI, see your pediatrician. The doctor will take a urine sample and test it for bacteria. They can collect urine in a number of ways:

Older children can pee into a cup (doctors call this a “clean catch”).
Younger children who aren't toilet trained will have a plastic bag placed over their genitals to collect the urine.
Children who wear diapers can have a tube (catheter) inserted into their urethra and bladder to collect the sample.
In infants, the doctor can place a needle straight into the bladder through the stomach to get the sample.

If your child has had a few UTIs, your doctor might refer you to a nephrologist (kidney specialist) and do one or more of these imaging tests to look for problems in the urinary tract:

Ultrasound uses sound waves to show any blockages or other problems in the kidneys
Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) places fluid into the bladder through a tube to show any problems in the urethra or bladder when your child pees
Nuclear scan uses liquids that contain a small amount of radioactive material to see how well the kidneys work
CT, or computed tomography, is a powerful X-ray that makes detailed pictures of the bladder and kidneys
MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, uses powerful magnets and radio waves to make pictures of the bladder and kidneys

What Are the Treatments for UTIs?

Make sure your child finishes all of their meds, even if they start to feel better. Stopping too soon can make germs resistant to antibiotics and cause another infection.

How Can You Prevent UTIs in the Future?

Girls should avoid bubble baths and should not use perfumed soaps. And, they should wear cotton underwear -- not nylon -- to improve airflow and prevent bacteria from growing.

Urinary tract infection in newborns.

Urinary tract infection in young children is no less common than viral respiratory infections. Vomiting and nausea, cramps in the abdomen are often attributed by parents to colic, malnutrition or intestinal infections. However, with such symptoms, it is recommended to consult a doctor. If this is a urinary tract infection, then its untimely diagnosis and treatment will lead to unpleasant consequences for the baby.

A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria in the child's body begin to multiply rapidly in the urinary tract.

Most often this pathology is caused by microbes such as:

- Escherichia coli,

- Staphylococcus aureus,

- Pseudomonas aeruginosa,

- Klebsiella

These include:

- vesicoureteral reflux;

- narrowing of the ureters;

- malposition of the organs of the urinary system;

- horseshoe kidney and others

Another cause of infection is the presence of a microbial focus in the body. With an infectious-inflammatory pathology of other organs, the bacterial flora can enter the kidneys and urinary tract, causing inflammation there. Also, the bacterium can enter the baby's body from the mother during breastfeeding.

Genitourinary infection in infants presents with the same symptoms as in adults. The problem is that a newborn baby cannot complain.

Parents should keep a close eye on their child to detect symptoms of illness.

Initial symptoms include tearfulness, restlessness, poor sleep and loss of appetite.

In children under one year old, a urinary tract infection may be manifested by a decrease or increase from the age norm of urine excreted, a change in the color and saturation of urine (the child's urine may become bright yellow (with an increase in the concentration of urine, which is usually accompanied by a decrease in its quantity), red or brown (admixture of blood.) When bacteria appear, the urine does not change its color, but becomes cloudy and loses its transparency. 0003

Edema may appear due to the characteristics of the baby's body, the appearance of an unpleasant smell from the diaper.

The appearance of restlessness and crying when urinating, which indicates the presence of pain and cramps in the baby. Often, mothers note that the child strains when urinating. In this case, an intermittent stream of urine is recorded.

The rise in temperature to high numbers, if it does not go away after taking antipyretics and persists for several days, this is a reason to suspect an infection.

Infection of the genitourinary system in infants is detected by laboratory analysis of urine, urine culture, blood test, b / x blood test.

In case of inflammation, blood and urine tests show an increase in the number of leukocytes. With bakposev, it is possible to identify which bacterium caused the infection, and determine the individual sensitivity of the microbe to the antibiotic.

As noted above, the cause of infection in infants may be a congenital malformation of the genitourinary organs.

If this pathology is suspected, the following examinations should be performed:

- ultrasound examination of the urinary system organs;

- voiding cystography;

- retrograde radiography of the kidneys;

- CT or MRI of the kidneys.

The basis for the treatment of urinary tract infection is antibiotic therapy. A broad-spectrum antibiotic or a drug based on sensitivity is prescribed. The antibiotic is taken orally or injected intravenously.

It is important that if an infection is detected, the infant must be hospitalized for the duration of treatment.
In addition to antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and antipyretics are used. Moreover, many medicines are produced in a convenient form of application, for example, in candles.

Herbal uroseptics are often prescribed, which do not have a toxic effect and contribute to the recovery of the child. In no case should you start treatment on your own or cancel medications without a doctor's prescription. This will lead to the fact that the disease will go into a latent stage and will periodically worsen, again and again causing unpleasant symptoms. In addition, many drugs are contraindicated for children and their uncontrolled use will bring irreparable harm to the child.

Infection in infants with malformations will constantly recur despite good treatment. Therefore, the only way out is to carry out an operational correction of the defect. It should be noted that the operation is possible only after the acute inflammatory process is eliminated.

Prevention of urinary tract infections in infants.

In order to rule out an illness in a child, the following points should be followed:

- Carefully monitor the hygiene of the child's urinary organs.

- avoid hypothermia of the baby;

- monitor the rationality of nutrition.

Every year about 1400 children are treated in the Department of Prematurity and Pathology of Newborns. Of these, with urinary tract infection 65-70, with various congenital malformations of the kidneys and urinary system 28-30 children. All children undergo a complex of examinations and treatment according to the developed standards. All children are discharged with improvement and recovery and are subsequently observed by nephrologists and urologists in the regional children's clinic.

Infection of the genitourinary system is not such a terrible diagnosis. With a complete examination and high-quality, adequately selected therapy, the child will recover without any residual effects.

What is a urinary tract infection - ON Clinic Medical Center blog

The genitourinary system is a complex of organs that are anatomically and physiologically interconnected. Therefore, urinary tract infections can affect the urethra, bladder and ureter, kidneys, and prostate.

Most often the disease is caused by bacteria, less often by pathogenic fungi, viruses and parasites. Urinary tract infection may be asymptomatic or symptomatic.

If the signs of the disease are not paid attention to in time and not cured, the urinary tract infection will be complicated by an abscess of the renal cortex, perirenal abscess, pyonephrosis, gangrenous pyelonephritis or chronic pyelonephritis. These are serious diseases in which pus appears in the kidney. They are treated with surgery. The most severe complication is sepsis, which can lead to death.

To prevent complications, read our article: you will learn how a urinary tract infection manifests itself, how to recognize it, how to prevent the disease, what to do and when to see a doctor.

What is a urinary tract infection?

A urinary tract infection is characterized by the presence of bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites in the urinary tract that cause inflammation and form the clinical picture of the disease. To better understand the disease, you need to present the anatomy and physiology of the genitourinary system. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs that are located to the left and right of the spinal column. The task of the kidneys is to cleanse the blood and regulate the chemical balance in the body.

The kidney acts as a filter that filters out ballast substances from the blood and plasma: nitrogen metabolism products, toxins and drugs, foreign elements and inorganic compounds. All these substances accumulate in the urine, which slowly drains through the ureters into the bladder (1 ml per 1 minute). The bladder is a hollow organ with a volume of 500 to 700 ml.

When enough urine accumulates in the bladder, there is an urge to go to the toilet. This process is partially regulated by human consciousness. In the bladder, the sphincters open, the detrusor muscle contracts - urine under pressure passes from the bladder into the urethra, and from it into the environment.

Doctors divide urinary tract infections into two groups:

upper urinary tract infection. This is a bacterial disease of the kidneys - pyelonephritis;
lower urinary tract infection. These include cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), urethritis (inflammation of the urethra), and prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate).

This is a conditional division. In clinical practice, it is difficult to identify the specific location of the infection, because most often the infection affects several anatomical structures at the same time.

Most often, people aged 20 to 50 get sick. Women suffer from urinary tract infections 50 times more often than men. They predominantly have cystitis and pyelonephritis. In men - prostatitis and urethritis.

Urinary tract infections are uncomplicated and complicated. Pyelonephritis and cystitis are considered uncomplicated if they develop in mature women before menopause without congenital defects in the anatomy of the urinary tract.

Cystitis or pyelonephritis are considered complicated if they meet the following criteria:

the person has defects in the anatomy of the urinary tract;
have a secondary disease that aggravates the urinary tract infection, such as diabetes mellitus or immunodeficiency;
if the patient is under 18 or pregnant.

What causes urinary tract infections?

Normally, the urinary tract is sterile - there are no bacteria or viruses in it. Despite the frequent entry of bacteria from the rectum (improper hygiene, migration of microorganisms), local defense mechanisms keep the urinary tract completely clean. For example, the main protective force is urination, with which the urinary tract is cleared of bacteria. Auxiliary mechanisms are acid reaction of urine, vesicoureteral valve, mucous membranes and local immunity.

In 95% of cases, urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria as they travel up the urinary tract: from the urethra to the bladder and ureter, from which the bacterium reaches the kidneys. The infection can enter the urinary tract through the hematogenous route through the blood.

In the remaining 5% of cases, infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic fungi (mainly of the Candida genus). Even less often - Mycobacterium tuberculosis, parasites (filariasis, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, trichomoniasis and malaria) and viruses. Fungi and mycobacteria affect people with weak immunity, congenital defects of the urinary tract and diabetes.

The most common routes of infection are sexual contact and improper hygiene of the genitourinary organs.

Risk factors that increase the likelihood of infection:

unprotected sex or a new sexual partner;
long-term use of antibiotics;
diaphragm or spermicide use as contraception;
urinary tract infection in a first-degree relative;
previous urinary tract infection.

The increased risk when using spermicides or antibiotics is because the vaginal environment changes and additional conditions are created for the growth of Escherichia coli. In women older than 70 years, the infection may occur due to fecal incontinence.

Risk factors include congenital anomalies that cause vesicoureteral reflux. This is a pathology in which urine from the bladder is spontaneously thrown back into the ureter. In 40% of cases, this is observed in children.

It is possible to become infected both after surgery and as a result of medical instrumental procedures: catheterization, cystoscopy or wall placement.

Symptoms of urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infection causes urethritis, cystitis, acute urethral syndrome and acute pyelonephritis.

Urethritis occurs more often in men, it is manifested by the following symptoms:

difficult urination;
purulent, mucus or whitish discharge from the urethra.

Cystitis occurs more often in those who manifest:;

frequent urination;
false urge to urinate;
burning and discomfort during urination;
urine usually cloudy, often reddish, with blood added;
nighttime urination with pain above the pubis;
fever between 37.1 and 38.0 degrees Celsius may occur;
rapid and sudden onset of symptoms.

Acute urethral syndrome occurs in women. It is accompanied by difficult and frequent urination. Externally, it resembles cystitis, but the difference is that in acute urethral syndrome, there is no bacterial infection or the number of bacteria is below the threshold that is necessary for the diagnosis of bacterial cystitis.

Symptoms of acute pyelonephritis:

back pain from infected kidney; usually it is aching and dull pain, sometimes the pain can be cramping;
body temperature from 38 to 40 degrees;
general weakness;
headaches;
nausea and vomiting;
no appetite;
irritability.

There is a specific infectious disease - asymptomatic bacteriuria. It proceeds without signs and symptoms, but if you conduct an examination, bacterial cultures will be found in the urine.

How do I know if my child has a UTI?

If your child complains of symptoms and has any of the following signs, they most likely have a urinary tract infection:

body temperature from 37.1 to 39 degrees;
he has diarrhea, nausea and vomiting;
he behaves too passively or vice versa, excitedly;
complains of pain in the abdomen and back;
urinates into clothes even though he uses the potty or knows how to use the toilet on his own.

Newborns refuse to eat, they feel sick and vomit, the skin may become slightly yellowish, the body temperature is reduced, the feces are liquid or mushy, the urine acquires a fetid odor.

Why do women get urinary tract infections more often than men?

Women get urinary tract infections more often than men. This is due to the anatomical features of the female genitourinary system. The female urethra is shorter than the male urethra, so bacteria need to travel less to enter the urinary tract.

The second factor is the anatomical proximity of the urethra and rectum. It is easier for bacteria to get from the gut into the urethra and cause inflammation. This is due to improper hygiene of the urinary organs. To reduce the chance of infection, wipe the vulva from front to back after urinating. Teach your children proper hygiene so they don't get urinary tract infections later on.

The third factor is having sex: the microflora of the penis or vagina can enter the urethra. The vaginal diaphragm can increase the likelihood of infection: it makes it difficult to completely empty the bladder. This means that when infected, the bacteria will not come out with the urine. Bacterial cultures will begin to grow in it - inflammation will begin.

Infectious diseases in women can be caused by changes in the bacterial flora of the vagina due to spermicides, antibacterial vaginal drops and antibiotics. If possible, avoid these factors and use other methods of contraception. To choose the most appropriate method of preventing pregnancy, consult your doctor. The growth of bacteria in the vagina can be triggered by menopause. Usually, estrogen-based drugs solve the problem, but check with your doctor before using.

What are other possible causes of painful urination?

Painful and difficult urination is not only associated with infectious diseases of the urinary tract. It can hurt when urinating, even if the genitourinary tract is absolutely sterile.

Other possible causes of painful and unpleasant urination:

kidney stones;
ovarian cysts;
side effects of cancer chemotherapy;
vaginal infections;
irritation of the vagina, eg by having sex without lubrication;
hypersensitivity to artificial lubricants, soaps, toilet paper and other hygiene products.

Try replacing them or stop using them. If the burning sensation and discomfort during urination are gone, it was most likely due to the factors above. Even if there is no more pain, you still need to go to the doctor and be examined.

Should I see a doctor?

Yes. Cystitis or urethritis are not terrible diseases. However, their consequences can lead to serious complications, and then surgery and long-term conservative treatment will be required.

You need to tell your doctor about your symptoms, their progress and likely causes (new sexual partner, sex without contraception, hypothermia). You should tell your doctor if you have other illnesses such as AIDS, diabetes, or congenital urinary tract anomalies. These factors influence the choice of drug and treatment tactics.

Your doctor may think that urinary problems are due to a vaginal infection. He will take biological material and send it to the laboratory for microscopic and bacterial examination. The results of the laboratory analysis will indicate if there are fungi or other microorganisms in the vagina.

If no pathogens are found in the vagina, you may be offered a laboratory test for biological material from the bladder.

How are urinary tract infections diagnosed?

A complete urinalysis and urine culture is needed to diagnose a urinary tract infection. If a sexually transmitted infection is suspected, the doctor will order a urethral scraping.

A medium sample of urine is used for diagnosis. First, the external opening of the urethra is treated with a disinfectant and given a few minutes to dry. The woman needs to part the labia, and the man needs to pull the foreskin. This is necessary in order to minimize the contact of the mucous membrane with the urine stream. The patient releases the first 5 ml of urine, and the rest is collected in a sterile container.

The second way to get urine is through a catheter. It is used for older women and patients who have difficulty getting clear urine due to bleeding or vaginal discharge.

If a complicated form of urinary tract infection is suspected, the doctor will order a culture.

Can a urinary tract infection be prevented?

Yes, cystitis, pyelonephritis and urethritis are preventable. To do this, adhere to the following recommendations:

drink more water: drink at least 1.5 liters of fluid per day; for prevention, cranberry juice is recommended; however, if you are taking warfarin, you should talk to your doctor before drinking cranberry juice;
do not resist the urge to go to the toilet; we are talking about if you are at home or at work - in a place where there is a restroom nearby; some children do not go to the toilet often, so explain to them why it is necessary to go to the toilet 2-3 times a day;
wipe the vulva from front to back after urination, not vice versa, teach your children to do the same;
the best natural prevention after sex is to urinate;
use lubricant before or during sex; do not allow the vaginal mucosa to remain dry and irritated;
wear loose clothing and underwear;
uncircumcised men need to regularly wash their penis and especially the foreskin: smegma accumulates under it, which is a good breeding ground for bacteria.

If these preventative measures fail, the doctor will prescribe prophylactic antibiotics.

Continuous prophylaxis trial lasts 6 months. If a urinary tract infection occurs 6 months after taking the medication, prophylactic treatment is extended by 2 years. Which antibiotic depends on the pathogen, your immunity and resistance.

If urinary tract infection is associated with sex, use postcoital prophylaxis. One dose of the medicine is enough to prevent infection.

Treatment of urinary tract infections

Treatment is with antibiotics and, less commonly, surgery (if abscesses or urinary tract obstruction have formed).

The goal of treatment is to completely rid the urinary tract of bacteria and make it sterile again.

Your doctor chooses antibiotics based on your history of allergies, cultures, and drug resistance. Usually a few days of antibiotics are enough to treat a urinary tract infection. After 2-3 days, the symptoms of the disease begin to subside. When you feel better, you should continue taking your medication: if you miss a few pills, the treatment will lose its effectiveness.

How do I know if a treatment is not working?

If medications do not provide relief and symptoms get worse and worse, treatment is most likely not working. Call your doctor if your body temperature is above 38.0 degrees, you have pain in your lower abdomen, you feel sick and feel like vomiting. You should also call your doctor if you still have painful and uncomfortable urination after 3 days of starting antibiotics.

I am pregnant. How will a UTI affect my child?

An untreated urinary tract infection may be complicated by inflammation of the kidneys. This can provoke premature contractions and childbirth. If you detect symptoms in time and visit a doctor, the bacteria will not have time to infect the kidneys and the disease will be cured without complications.

For pregnant women, the tactics of treatment are changed. Antibiotics that are likely to harm the fetus are excluded. If the symptoms are mild, the woman is treated on an outpatient basis, but under the periodic supervision of a doctor at home. If the symptoms are severe, the woman is recommended to be treated in a hospital.

Infectious pathology of the urinary organs can lead to fetoplacental insufficiency. The symptom complex is characterized by the fact that the child does not have enough oxygen - fetal hypoxia occurs. This can lead to disruption of the internal organs of the child, which can slow down the growth and development of the fetus.

Infection of the genitourinary system may lead to intrauterine infection of the fetus. In this case, the child is born with respiratory failure, skin lesions, congenital pneumonia and delayed psychomotor development.

The sooner you go to the doctor, the more likely you are to have an uncomplicated pregnancy and a good delivery.

Can a UTI cause serious kidney damage?

Yes, a urinary tract infection can cause kidney problems.

Multiple abscesses in the kidneys occur when the infection enters the kidney through the blood. In the cortex of the kidneys, small purulent accumulations form, which eventually merge into one large abscess. Sometimes pus breaks into the urinary tract. In this case, it enters the urine. It occurs in people with aggravating factors: with diabetes mellitus or injection drug addicts.

Perinephric abscess is an accumulation of pus between the fascia of the kidney and its capsule. Occurs as a complication of pyelonephritis. In 25% of cases it occurs in patients with diabetes mellitus. It is manifested by severe pain in the damaged kidney and high fever.

Pyonephrosis presents clinically as a severe urinary tract infection.

Papillary necrosis occurs as the infection ascends to the kidneys. The disease is characterized by the death of the renal papilla. Manifested by severe renal colic. Most often occurs in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Chronic pyelonephritis is due to recurrent acute pyelonephritis.