Download Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

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Urinary Tract Infections
(UTIs)
What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?
A UTI happens when germs (bacteria) travel from inside or outside of the body
and get into the bladder, kidneys or ureters (tubes that drain urine from the
kidneys into the bladder). UTIs are not passed from one person to another.
UTIs can happen to anyone, but happen more often to babies and young
children. A doctor can do a urine test to find out for sure if your child has a UTI.
How will I know if my child has a UTI?
Babies with a UTI may:
• Cry more often and be ‘fussy’
• Have a fever
• Not want to breastfeed or take formula
• Seem like they are ‘not themselves’
Children and youth with a UTI may:
• Have a fever
• Complain of stomach pains
• Feel burning pain when they pass urine
• Feel like they need to pass urine more often
Definitions
Kidneys: ‘Clean’ the blood and make the urine
Ureters: Carry the urine from the kidneys to
the bladder
How are UTIs treated?
Bladder: Holds the urine
1. Antibiotics
Children are usually treated with antibiotics given by mouth
or by an intravenous or IV (plastic tube in your child’s arm or hand).
Urethra: The tube that carries urine from the
bladder to the outside of the body.
Urine: Another word for “pee”
It is very important for your child to finish all of the antibiotics,
even if he starts feeling better. The UTI will not be gone until all the antibiotics are finished.
2. Tests
Bring your child to your family doctor after the antibiotics are finished. Your doctor will assess your child and
decide if other tests are needed.
If your child’s urine still has bacteria in it after treatment with antibiotics, your doctor may suggest other tests like
an ultrasound or a voiding cystogram.
3. Medicine for fever and pain
You can give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®) for fever and pain. Follow the
package directions carefully.
4. Give lots of fluids to your child
If your baby is breastfed, feed more often. If your baby takes formula, give extra fluids between feedings.
Encourage older children and youth to drink plenty of fluids.
Form # P4906E Sept 2008
www.cheo.on.ca
Take your child back to your health care provider if...
Your baby is:
• More fussy than usual
• Has a fever
• Is not breastfeeding or bottle feeding well
Your baby, child or teen:
• Has signs of dehydration (not enough body fluids):
a Fewer wet diapers or passing less
urine than usual
a Dry lips or a sticky tongue
a No tears
• Is vomiting or has diarrhea
• Has tummy, side or back pain
• Passes urine that is red, cloudy or tea-coloured
• Can’t tolerate the antibiotics (keeps throwing the antibiotics up, or won’t swallow the antibiotics)
• Still has trouble passing urine after being on antibiotics for 2 days
• Still has a fever or feels sick after being on antibiotics for 2 days
Can UTIs be prevented?
UTIs can sometimes (but not always) be prevented. Some children and teens are just more prone to UTIs.
It may help to:
• Have your child or teen drink enough water. Water and other fluids help the keep the kidneys working well.
• Encourage your child to pass urine when she needs to (not hold it for too long).
• Make sure your child gets enough fibre so he has a bowel movement every day.
• Teach girls to wipe from front to back when they use the toilet. This will prevent bacteria from the anus (bum)
getting into the urethra.
Numbers to know
Telehealth Ontario: 1-866-797-0000
Health Information from Registered Nurses,
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
TTY: 1-866-797-0007
Québec Info -Santé: 811
Ottawa Public Health Info Line (OPHI Line):
613-580-6744
www.cheo.on.ca