Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
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Illustration

For an illustration of the urinary tract, click here

What is a urinary tract infection?

Your child can get an infection in the bladder or the tube that carries the urine out of the body. The infection is caused by bacteria and needs to be treated. Here are signs you should watch for:

• Your child has pain when she urinates (pees).
• Your child has to pee right away and can't hold it.
• Your child has to go to pee a lot.
• Even when your child is awake, he wets his pants.
• Your child wets at night.
• Your child's urine smells bad.
• Your child has a fever or a stomachache.

How can I help my child?

• Give antibiotics. Your child needs to take the medicine prescribed by your doctor to get better.
• Give lots of water and fluids. Drinking lots of water and fluids helps clear up the infection.
• Give pain and fever medicine. Give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) for the pain or for fever. No aspirin.
• Call your doctor. Two days after your child starts the medicine, call your child's doctor about your child's symptoms. You need to make sure your child is getting better.
• Get a recheck. Your child will need another urine test 2 weeks after the first visit.

Call your child's doctor right away if:

• Your child has back pain.
• Your child starts to act very sick

Call your child's doctor during office hours if:

• Your child has a fever more than 2 days after taking the medicine.
• It still hurts your child to pee 2 days after taking the medicine.
• You have other concerns or questions.