Urinary tract infection (UTI) in children

Urinary tract infection (UTI) in children | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Kidneys, bladder and prostate Urinary tract infection (UTI) in children Urinary tract infection (UTI) in children Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common infections. They can affect the urinary tract, including the: bladder urethra (the tube where urine leaves the body) kidneys UTIs arent usually serious and can be treated with antibiotics if needed. Speak to your GP if your child has symptoms of a UTI like: vomiting tiredness and lack of energy (lethargy) irritability not eating properly not gaining weight yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) in very young children pain or a burning sensation when peeing needing to pee frequently deliberately holding in their pee a change in their normal toilet habits, like wetting themselves or wetting the bed unpleasant-smelling pee cloudy pee Phone 111 or speak to a GP urgently if: You think a child has a urinary tract infection (UTI) and they: are under 3 have a very high temperature, or feel hot and shivery have a very low temperature below 36C are confused or drowsy have pain in the lower tummy or in the back, just under the ribs have blood in their pee Types of UTI A UTI may be either: upper lower An upper UTI means an infection of the kidneys or ureters. Ureters are the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder. A lower UTI means an infection of the bladder (cystitis) or urethra. This is the tube that carries urine out of the body. Causes of UTIs in children UTIs occur when the urinary tract becomes infected, usually by bacteria. Bacteria from the gut can enter the urinary tract through the tube that carries pee out of the body (urethra). This may happen when a child: wipes their bottom soils their nappy Some children may be more likely to get UTIs due to problems emptying their bladder. This can be due to: constipation dysfunctional elimination syndrome  a child holds on to their pee, even though they have the urge to pee vesicoureteral reflux  urine leaks back up from the bladder into the ureters and kidney Treating UTIs in children UTIs in children will often improve within 24 to 48 hours of treatment. A UTI wont usually cause any long term problems. Antibiotics UTIs can usually be treated at home with antibiotics as long as the child is: over 3 months not at risk of serious illness The most suitable antibiotic depends on what type of UTI the child has. Sometimes children can experience side effects whilst taking antibiotics. This can include feeling sick or having an upset stomach. These symptoms are usually mild and should stop once the antibiotics have finished. Its very important to finish the prescribed course of antibiotics. Thisll prevent the infection from coming back. Other treatments If necessary, children can also take liquid paracetamol to help ease the symptoms of a UTI. As a precaution, some children with a UTI may have to be treated in hospital. Your GP may advise you if this is necessary. Dont use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen to treat a UTI. These can harm the kidneys. Aspirin should never be given to children under the age of 16. Preventing UTIs in children It isnt possible to prevent all childhood UTIs. But, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk of your child getting one. Do encourage girls to wipe their bottom from front to back make sure children are well hydrated and go to the toilet regularly avoid nylon and other synthetic underwear  pick loose, cotton underwear avoid scented soaps or bubble baths  these can increase the risk of developing a UTI Recurrent UTIs in children A small number of children have recurring UTIs. If your child has had a UTI before, its important to watch out for any symptoms. If any symptoms do come back, tell your GP as soon as possible. Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 23 October 2023 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. Email Address e.g. you@example.com Message Maximum of 500 characters Send feedback Add this page to\n            Info For Me NHS inform About NHS inform Editorial policy Contact us Webchat Give feedback about NHS inform Info for Me tool Terms and conditions Privacy and cookies policy Freedom of information (FOI) Accessibility Other languages and formats  2023 NHS 24  v1.1.1.17852