How To Know If Your Child Has A Urinary Tract Infection
&srotate=0)
As an adult, you are probably familiar with the signs that may mean you have a urinary tract infection. However, it can be somewhat challenging to informally diagnose a UTI in children, particularly those who are too young to accurately convey their symptoms. The caring team of board-certified physicians and medical professionals at Health Services of North Texas (HSNT) is committed to providing convenient and reliable pediatric urgent care services, including the diagnosis and treatment of a UTI, at the Wylie Children's Medical Clinic in Wylie, TX during business hours. Use this helpful information to better understand how you may be able to recognize a UTI in your child and when treatment is necessary.
What causes a UTI in kids?
Urinary tract infections, which can develop in either the bladder or the kidneys, are typically caused by a buildup of bacteria that can’t be adequately flushed out through normal processes. In children, poor toilet hygiene is a common cause of UTIs. This can include:
- Not wiping properly (girls should wipe front to back)
- Not washing hands properly
- Not changing underwear frequently enough
- Wearing a dirty diaper too long
Additionally, “holding it” – or holding in urine for an extended period of time – can contribute to the growth of bacteria and, ultimately, a urinary tract infection.
What are the signs of a UTI in young children?
Common signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection include:
- Pain with urination
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Cloudy urine
- Foul-smelling urine
- Foul-smelling diaper
- Blood in the urine
- Constant sensation of needing to void
- Inability to urinate
- Fever
- Pain around the bladder
- Lower back pain
Older children and teenagers are typically able to describe their symptoms accurately enough for parents and providers to suspect a UTI. In young children, toddlers, and babies, however, it can be much more challenging to arrive at the diagnosis of a UTI without the help of a medical professional. Oftentimes, younger children simply appear as though they are not feeling well, are not in a good mood, or seem “off” compared to their usual selves. If you suspect that your child may have a urinary tract infection, the expert HSNT team at Wylie Children's Medical Clinic in Wylie, TX can make a definitive diagnosis with a simple, quick urine test as part of urgent care services during normal hours.
How to treat a UTI at home for a child
In most cases, antibiotic therapy is the most effective and fastest-working treatment for a UTI, with the majority of patients feeling dramatically better just 12 – 24 hours after starting treatment. It is important that patients continue their full course of antibiotic therapy, however, even after their symptoms begin to improve.
Additional tips for relieving UTI symptoms at home and/or discouraging the development of future UTIs include:
- Drink plenty of water
- Urinate frequently
- Empty the bladder completely
- Drink cranberry juice
- Practice good hygiene
- Change underwear/diapers frequently
Where is the best place for children’s UTI treatment near me in North Texas?
Help your child start feeling better as soon as possible with pediatric urgent care UTI treatment in Wylie, TX. To learn more about the additional healthcare services we provide in Plano and Denton, call one of our convenient Health Services of North Texas locations today. We look forward to providing you and your family the rapid, reliable, effective care you deserve!