DEFINITION
A urinary tract infection (UTI) can involve the bladder and sometimes the kidneys. Bacteria cause urinary tract infections. It is important to treat UTIs so the kidneys are not damaged.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Painful urination
• An urgent need to urinate
• Frequent urination
• Daytime and nighttime wetting
• Fever
• Stomachache
• Vomiting

• Taking medication: If your physician prescribes an antibiotic, it is very important to take the medicine as prescribed. Try not to forget any doses. Give the medicine to your child until all the pills or liquid are gone. Even though your child will feel better in a few days, give the antibiotic for the full number of days prescribed by your physician. This helps to keep the UTI from flaring up again.
• Extra fluids: Encourage your child to drink extra fluids to help clear the infection.
• Fever and pain relief: Give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol®) for the painful urination or for fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Medical follow-up: Two days after your child begins antibiotics, it is important to contact your child's physician to find out the results of the urine culture and to make sure that your child's symptoms are responding to the antibiotics. About two weeks after your initial visit, your physician will want to see your child for another urine culture. Discuss appropriate follow-up with your physician.

• When your child bathes, wash the genital area with water, not soap.
• Keep bath time less than 15 minutes. Your child should urinate after taking a bath. Common irritants are bubble baths, shampoos and soaps.
• Teach your daughter to wipe herself correctly from front to back, especially after a bowel movement.
• Encourage your child to drink enough fluids each day to keep the urine light-colored. Encourage your child to drink cranberry juice.
• Encourage your child to urinate frequently during the day and try not to "hold back."
• Have your child wear loose cotton underwear.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLLECTING A MID-STREAM, CLEAN-CATCH URINE SPECIMEN AT HOME:
If you are asked to bring a urine sample to your physician's office, try to collect the urine when your child first urinates in the morning. Use a jar and lid that has been sterilized by boiling it for 10 minutes. Wash the genital area several times with cotton balls and warm water. If your child is a boy, wipe around the penis, starting at the head. If your child is a girl, wipe front to back. She should then sit on the toilet seat with her legs spread widely so that the labia (skin folds of the vagina) do not touch. After your child starts to urinate in the toilet, place the clean container directly in line with the stream of urine. Remove it after you have collected a few ounces but before he or she stops urinating. Keep the urine in the refrigerator until you take it to your physician's office. Place the jar in a plastic bag with some ice to take it to their office.