Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can occur not only in adults, but also in children. But calm down, Mother. With the right way, a UTI suffered by your little one can heal in just a few days.
UTI is an infection caused by the entry of bacteria into the urinary tract. The bacteria that are usually the cause of UTIs are: E. coli. Bacteria from the anus can spread to the urinary tract, due to lack of hygiene or the wrong way to wash.
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection in Children
UTIs are more common in girls than boys. This is because girls have a shorter urethra or urinary tract.
There are several factors that can make a child more at risk of developing a UTI, such as suffering from abnormalities in the kidneys and urinary tract, not washing hands after using the toilet, not being circumcised, or heredity.
Some of the symptoms that can be a sign of a child suffering from a UTI are:
- Fever.
- Pain when urinating.
- Abdominal pain in the urinary tract, generally below the belly button.
- The frequency of urination increases, but the amount of urine is small.
- Urine smells bad.
- Nausea or vomiting.
Overcoming Urinary Tract Infections in Children
If you see your little one experiencing UTI symptoms, it's better to immediately consult a pediatrician. If not treated properly, UTIs can lead to serious illnesses, such as kidney damage.
To diagnose a UTI, your doctor will suggest a urine test. If the results show that the UTI is caused by a bacterial infection, the treatment is to take antibiotics.
UTIs will usually heal after 3-10 days of taking antibiotics. In addition to taking the antibiotics given by the doctor, remind your little one to drink lots of water.
After the antibiotics are finished, the doctor will usually recommend a urine test to make sure that the infection that the child is suffering from is completely gone.
Preventing Children from Urinary Tract Infections
After recovering, your little one may get a urinary tract infection again. To prevent urinary tract infections in children, do the following:
- Teach children to clean themselves the right way.
- For girls, remind her to always clean her genitals by flushing it from front to back.
- Get your child used to drinking lots of water every day. Avoid drinks that can cause irritation, such as fizzy drinks and caffeinated drinks.
- Remind children not to hold urine.
- Avoid wearing underwear made of nylon or synthetic materials, because they can facilitate the growth of bacteria. Also, avoid wearing underwear that is too tight.
- Avoid cleaning the genitals with soap that contains perfume.
Parents need to recognize the symptoms of a UTI in their child and immediately consult a doctor so that they can be treated. If not treated properly, a UTI can lead to serious complications. If it is severe, a UTI in children usually needs to be treated by a pediatrician or pediatric nephrologist.