Urine infection, together with catarrhal processes, is a recurring reason for taking your son or daughter to the doctor. Most of the time, treating it on time is not more serious, but if we do not. yes it can suppose serious complications.
We help you detect urine infections, their causes and we give you some tips so that you help your sons and daughters to prevent them. We insist on the issue of girls, because from the age of 3 it is more common for urinary infections to occur in girls than in boys.
What is urine infection?
What we know as a urine infection occurs because a series of pathogenic germs in the urethra, bladder, kidney or prostate. And no, it is not contagious. The bacteria that causes the most urinary infections is Escherichia coli, and we have it within our own intestines.
There are several reasons why bacteria on the skin around the anus reach the bladder and can cause infection. These causes are external, such as not cleaning properly, wearing clothing that is too tight, synthetic, foam baths ...
But there are others causes that we can call more internal such as vesicoureteral reflux. This condition usually presents at birth. What happens is that the urine flows back into the ureters and kidneys. Brain or nervous system diseases that make it difficult to empty the bladder. Do not urinate frequently during the day, either due to impossibility or to endure too much.
Symptoms and treatment of infection in children
In babies of a few months, the symptoms of a urine infection can manifest with a not very high fever, refusal to eat, vomiting, weight loss ... It is easy for these symptoms also occur in other infections, so it is always recommended to do a urinalysis.
Being older you will see if you have an infection in the urine from the color and odor change of this, your urgent need for go to the bathroom frequently, accompanied incontinence, there may be some blood, the child complains or cries when you pee, or your lower pelvis or lower back hurts. If you observe some of these symptoms in your little one, it is recommended that they do an analysis to put him in treatment as soon as possible.
As we mentioned at the beginning, if the urine infection reached the kidneys the situation would be very serious. Getting to be able to contract pyelonephritis.
In children urinary infections are treated with Antibiotics, and if they persist they will be given a longer treatment. But it always has to be your pediatrician who prescribes the most appropriate antibiotics and you must follow the instructions. Make your child finish the treatment, do not leave it halfway. It is important that children drink plenty of water while the infection lasts.
How can urine infection be prevented?
We are going to give you some tips that prevent urine infections, such as wear 100% cotton underwear, and if the child is very sensitive ecologically. Better loose clothing than tight, especially in the case of girls.
make that drink more fluids, or foods that contain a lot of water, such as fruits, especially watermelon or tomato. Foods rich in vitamin C, including blueberries, help increase the acidity of the Ph and thus prevent the formation of bacteria. In addition, the excess of Vitamin C it is expelled in the urine which helps keep bacteria away.
Remind your child that go to the bathroom several times a day, although sometimes it seems that he does not feel like it, and that he wipes himself from front to back. Don't forget to wash your hands after peeing. Keep your genital area clean.
In this article we have discussed the causes, treatment and some tips about urinary infections. These are bacterial. If you want to know more about cystitis, which is the one that occurs specifically in the bladder, we recommend that you read this article.