Female Bladder Infection (Child)

A bladder infection occurs when bacteria cause the bladder to be inflamed. The bladder holds urine. A tube called the urethra takes urine from the bladder out of the body. Sometimes bacteria can travel up the urethra. This causes the infection. Those who are female have bladder infections more often than those who are male. This is because the female urethra is much shorter than the male urethra.

The most common cause of bladder infections in children is bacteria from the bowels. The bacteria can get onto the skin around the urethra, and then into the urine. From there it can travel up to the bladder. This can happen because of:

• Poor cleaning after using the toilet or during a diaper change.
• In young children, wiping from the back to the front. This spreads bacteria from the rectum toward the urethra.
• Not completely emptying the bladder.
• Constipation that prevents the bladder from emptying completely.
• Not drinking enough fluids to urinate often.
• Irritation of the urethra from soaps or tight clothes.
• Abnormal structure of the urinary system.

Symptoms of a bladder infection include the need to urinate often and urgently. It may be painful. The urine may have a strong smell. It may be dark, tinted with blood, or cloudy. Your child may not be able to hold urine and may wet the bed or their clothes. Your child may also have a fever and belly pain. Some children don't have symptoms. A baby may be fussy and not able to be soothed. They may cry when urinating. Your baby may also feed less or be less active.

A bladder infection is treated with antibiotics. The doctor may also prescribe a medicine to treat pain. Children get better from a bladder infection quickly. Don't stop giving antibiotic doses to your child even if they feel better. Use the medicine as instructed by your doctor.

In many cases, a bladder infection will come back. It's important to take steps to prevent it.

The doctor will prescribe medicine to treat the infection. Follow all instructions for giving this medicine to your child. Use the medicine as instructed every day until it is gone. Don't stop giving it to your child if they feel better.

Don't give aspirin (or medicine that contains aspirin) to a child younger than age 19 unless directed by the doctor. Taking aspirin can put your child at risk for Reye's syndrome. This is a rare but very serious illness. It most often affects the brain and the liver.

For children ages 2 and up—If your child's doctor says it's okay, you can give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain, fever, fussiness, or discomfort. If your child has chronic liver or kidney disease, talk with the doctor before giving these medicines. Also talk with the doctor if your child has ever had a stomach ulcer or digestive tract bleeding, or is taking blood thinners.

• In an age-appropriate way, explain bladder infections to your child. Tell them what needs to be done to feel better.
• Keep track of how often your child urinates. Note the urine color and amount.
• Tell your child to urinate often. Tell them to completely empty their bladder each time. This will help flush out bacteria.
• Have your child wear loose clothes and cotton underwear.
• Make sure that your child drinks enough fluids. Discuss with your child's doctor the best fluids to give your child.

• Teach your child to wipe from front to back after using the toilet. Wipe your baby from front to back during diaper changes.
• Make sure diapers aren't tight. If you use cloth diapers, use cotton or wool protectors rather than nylon or rubber pants.
• Change soiled diapers right away.
• Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids. Or make sure your baby feeds often. This is to prevent dehydration.
• Make sure your child urinates when needed and doesn't hold it in.
• Don't give your child bubble baths. They can irritate the urethra.
• Talk to your child's doctor if your child has trouble with bowel movements. Constipation can make a urinary tract infection more likely.

Follow up with your child's doctor, or as advised. If a culture was done, you'll be told of any findings that may affect your child's care.

Call 911if any of these occur:

• Trouble breathing
• Trouble waking up
• Fainting or loss of consciousness
• Fast heart rate
• Seizure

Contact your child's doctor right away if:

• Your child has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised.
• You see any physical or behavioral changes in an infant.
• Symptoms don't get better after 24 hours of treatment, or new symptoms occur.
• Your child is vomiting or unable to keep down medicine.
• Pain gets worse.
• Pain is in the low back, belly, or side.
• Your child's urine smells bad.
• You see a yellow color in your child's skin or eyes (jaundice).