Conditions
Urinary Tract Infections
Of all the embarrassing conditions, urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be among the most awkward for us to discuss, and it’s just the same for children and teenagers. It’s estimated that around one in 10 girls and one in 30 boys will have a UTI before they reach 16, and the under-fives are the most commonly affected group. So what are UTIs, how do they occur and how are they treated?
UTIs are caused when bacteria gets into the urinary tract – the organs that enable the body to process and get rid of waste, including the kidneys, the ureters, the bladder and the urethra – the tube which actually carries waste to the penis or vagina.
The most common cause of infection is the bacteria E.coli, which can live in the area around the rectum and genitals. The cause of an infection might be not going to the toilet often enough, children leaving the toilet before they’ve really finished, or the urinary tract inside the body not functioning properly. Urine itself is sterile and contains no germs, but in the case of infection, bacteria comes into contact with urine and enters the body by travelling up the urethra to the bladder (a urine infection here is called cystitis) or, more seriously, affecting the kidneys.
The symptoms of any UTI aren’t very pleasant. They can include a fever, feeling sick and vomiting, pain when going to the toilet, difficulty controlling urination, cloudy or bloody urine which smells and a pain in the lower chest or abdomen. In infants there may just be sickness, diarrhoea, lack of appetite and a fever.
Your doctor will be able to confirm that it’s a UTI by taking a urine sample, and then prescribe a course of antiobiotics, which are usually rapidly effective. It’s important to get UTI’s treated quickly as there is a danger that they can cause long term damage to the kidneys and also high blood pressure.
Though there’s always a possibility that any child might get a UTI, there are things you can do to minimise the risk. Make sure they spend as long as they need to on the toilet and understand the importance of hygiene and cleaning themselves properly. (Girls, whose bodies naturally make them more prone than boys, should wipe from front to back.) Treat constipation quickly, as this can raise the risk of UTI, and always keep kids well-hydrated, as drinking plenty of fluid helps keep bowel movements regular and healthy.
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my daughter is 4 and a half can wee everty 9 mins sometimes once an hour often every half hour certain periods every 9 mins. tested BM was 4.2 so fine often traces of protein found in urine two samples sent to lab two doses amoxcillin first sample grew bacteria at lab second sample didn't so had antibiotics but no uti. been given sachets mix with water for constipation, not tried these as my child opened bowels every day since. complains of legs and tummy hurting on occasion but then hour later no pain seems well inself otherwise except for v itchy
My Daughter is 5 years old and can sometimes go to the toilet 20 times or more a day. She goes to the toilet and then does not seem to be able to do it. she has the urge but cant go? No burning or itching present doctor sent of urine and it came back clear? Could it be beahavioural?
My daughter is 7 yrs she has had regular infection from the age of 3. I have tried everything possible - every test going ! Still no further forward. Her consultant said that unfortunately some kids are prone to ear or chest infections and it appears my daughter is prone to urine infections. My older sister and niece are also life long members of the uti club!!!!! I live in hope that she will simply grow out of it as many GPs have suggested.
Hi my 5yo daughter has had re-current urine infections for 2 and a half years now. She has been up at the hospital every 6 months and was on trimepathrin until oct 2011 when we were sent to a&e by our gp after tests their they said she was on the wrong anti-biotics and put her on cephalexin since then the urine infections have been less re-current she has also had the gamma camera scan and it has shown up all clear. I have looked online and she checks all the boxes for cystitis except the obvious ones (i.e relate to sex) but the Dr is unwilling to check for this as she beliefs it not to be that. Can you sugest anything else that i could do to either stop the infections all together or to get a diagnosis
hi for a long tme i have a burning sensation down there then recently it got itchy now ie checked my sefl down here i have noticed one of the sides look swollen im not sure what part itis called but its swollen and get really itchy ive stopped drinking tea and i dont like coffe so i dont think its being irrtated also i sometimes get really bad pain on my left side right where my hip is and now i really want to know what it is and what can help????
Hi, my 3.5 year daughter is complaining that it's very sore when she goes for a wee. She had a urine infection end of january which was treated with antibiotics (trimethoprim). Then 2 weeks ago it all started again - it's mainly at night she wakes up for a wee and then after that she screams with pain for 3-5 hours until she fells asleep because of exhaustion but what's very odd in a morning and during the day she says it doesnt hurt until night time when all painful experience starts again. 2 weeks agonshe was treated again with the same antibiotic subscribed by minor injury unit nurse as we could not get gp appointment for 3 days! I was advised to send the urine sample to lab but it came back clear. Got gp appointment last week after we have finished the antibiotics ( which worked again for a week)and she suggested deworming and using clotrimatizole cream for a week. I have stopped bubble baths - she only has a showers now every day am and pm and I only use oilatum, I have changed the washing powder to fairy and softener to comfort sensitive, she drinks small amount of cranberry juice and I use the cream 3 times a day but even now a week after she has finished antibiotics she is complaining again and I just dont know what else to do - I hate seeing her in pain. Please is anyone able to help me?
Hello. My name is Katie and I suffer from cystitis regularly, I also have been given 'trimethoprim' as an antibiotics. I have had this problem since the age of two and am now 16. Try applying Vaseline to the area - this soothes the pain from where the vagina is inflamed and dry, make sure your child drinks plenty of water, avoid soap and bubble bath products whilst bathing, look out for a liquid medicine called 'Potassium Citrate Mixture' at your local pharmacy. This liquid medicine is diluted in water and relieves the symptoms of cystitis within 15 minutes. Also another thing you can try for your child is to have a hot water bottle positioned towards the bottom of the spine at night time, this will help soothe the pain and I would definitely advise to wear cotton underwear due to the fact that it is comfortable to wear. Make sure that your child hasn't cut herself in the area and that she wipes herself form after using the toilet correctly; front to back. Hope my advice is helpful! Best of luck, hope your child feels better soon x
tricky one this,i would keep taking her back to the GP until you get a result that works.is she drinking enough fluids coz sometimes if urine isnt diluted enough it can be strong and sting causing pain and distress.good luck in helping your little girl sort this distressing problem out.
my daughter has been peeing blood on and off for 9 months now. its not a uti. she has blood in her urine and protein, she is under a nephrologist.she has had a cystoscopy which was normal.she was 6 n half wen this started. nothing has changed in her diet, she only drinks water n drinks plenty. breaks my heart to see her suffering for this long and still no answers, she clings 2 the radiator wen weeing as its so painful is the stinging. i am at my wits end. cant really calpol her for the stinging or i wud av been calpoling her for 9 months, she would be a walking zombie. hope you can help. thanx
My 12 year old daughter has been frequently leaking urine whether she is judt standing or walking, she does not need to cough or sneeze or anything like that. Her dr says that if it doesnt go away and took bloods for kidney function and urine sample he thinks it may be gyncaelogical problem....when she heard this she has been asking me everyday why this is happening to her and is stressing her out!!!! PLEASE ADVISE ME ON WHAT COULD BE THE CAUSE
I am 13 and my girl parts are peeling and when i pee it is cloudy but it doesnt hurt at all exept for itchyness, I dont know what it is and im afraid of asking my mom and i hate the doctor, What should i do? DX
please dont suffer in silence,tell your mum or someone you trust and get to the GP you dont have to show your mum but will proberly have to show the GP so find one you do like.its proberly something so simple to treat, and when its been treated you will feel so much better.please dont leave this any longer get it sorted.you dont have to go to a GP you can go to a GUM clinic at your local hospital.dont know if your sexually active so it may be worth getting checked out if you are.
my daughter is 4 years old..and quite regulary she complans of a sore vagina..2 days ago when she went to the toilet she cryed saying it hurt...ive tryed sudocream on the area and the redness had gone but then it comes back a few days later..what could it be.
It could be cystitus. Have your doctor check your child for this, the doctor will apply you with medicine.
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