How to Treat a UTI in a Pediatric Patient

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common in young boys and girls. Signs of an infection include a low grade fever, a need to urinate often, painful urination, cloudy urine, and back pain. It can be difficult to detect a UTI in pediatric patients, because children may not be able to share their symptoms. Early treatment is still crucial to prevent complications, such as a kidney infection. Parents should monitor symptoms. In young children or toddlers, signs of a UTI may include an unusual or strong urine smell during diaper changes, while older children may wet the bed and complain of side pain and burning while urinating.

Things You'll Need

• Antibiotics
• Pain reliever
• Water

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Instructions

• 1

  Visit your child's pediatrician. If he prescribes antibiotics, administer the medication to your child as instructed to treat and prevent recurrent infections.

• 2

  Ask your doctor about pain relievers and fever reducers for your child. If your pediatrician approves, give your child an appropriate medication to reduce pelvic or back pain and to relieve a fever. Effective remedies include ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

• 3

  Offer plenty of water to your child. Water flushes bacteria from the urinary tract and prevents dehydration when battling a fever. Encourage your child to increase water intake.

• 4

  Restrict your child's intake of carbonated drinks and caffeine. While drinking fluids can help a child overcome a urinary tract infection, caffeinated drinks, such as teas and sodas, can aggravate or worsen symptoms.

• 5

  Limit giving your child bubble baths while she has an infection. Certain bath products can irritate the bladder and worsen an existing infection. Refrain from bubble baths until the infection heals, and choose mild bath products to prevent future infections.

• 6

  Encourage cotton underwear. Materials that promote moisture, such as nylon, increase the likelihood of a urinary tract infection--especially in young girls. You want to prevent excess moisture as well as growth of bacteria.