Urinary Tract Infections

Toilet visits every 5 minutes? It hurts to wee? Urine smells weird? Chances are you’ve hit the Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) jackpot! UTI’s are so common I’m surprised a preventive pill hasn’t been developed. But since science is still working on that, here’s what you need to know:

What is it?

A UTI is caused by a bacteria that’s found a home in your urethra, bladder or kidney. The E.coli bacteria normally found in the gut and bowels is the most common cause.

Who gets them?

Females, babies and the elderly have a greater chance. Because females have a shorter urethra and it’s closer to the anus, we have a greater risk.Constipation may also cause a UTI as the full bowels squash everything and doesn’t allow your bladder and urethra to empty completely.With toilet training, children learn to use their muscles to hold their wee in. This can mean they don’t completely relax the muscles at toilet time, or they’re in a rush to watch their TV show, and don’t stay long enough to completely empty their bladder.

A less common cause is a reflux where the bladder lets small amounts of urine back into the kidneys, increasing the chances of kidney infection. This condition can be hereditary so if your child has several UTI’s, or a relative has this condition, ask your doctor to test your child.

UTI symptoms

The most common symptoms are feeling like your bladder is going to burst every 2 minutes, painful wee’s and cloudy urine that can smell quite funky (not in a cool funky way!).You may also find blood in your urine, have a fever and stomach pains. Babies can’t tell you where it’s hurting, and as they’re free to wee at random in their nappy it’s hard to know if their crying is timed with weeing. So it’s a good idea to visit the Doctor if your baby has fevers and is unhappy. Children who are toilet trained often don’t make it to the toilet when they have a UTI, so if your child is normally reliable at getting to the toilet on time this is a sign that something isn’t right.

How serious are they?

Apart from the agony , UTI’s can be very serious when they move to the kidneys. Urinary Tract Infections can be more serious in children then adults. So get to your Doctor at the first sign of an UTI.

Treatment

The infection will not go away without antibiotics, so a visit to your GP might be on the cards. In the meantime, home remedies include: drinking lots of fluids including cranberry juice and water, paracetamol if you have pain or fever, Ural if your your urine is stinging or burning (can be purchased from your pharmacy) and rest. Avoid alcohol, citrus juices and caffeinated beverages.

Prevention

For females, always wipe from front to back. Don’t assume hubby knows how to do this his version of this method may be completely different. Also remember once a wipe or toilet paper has touched the back, don’t re-use it on the front a common trap for the new parent!Encourage your child to sit on the toilet a bit longer after finishing their weemy daughter sits for longer when I get her to sing songs.As soon as your child wakes in the morning give them a drink and encourage toilet time to release the overnight urine stores. And the sound of water really does help them go, so turn on the tap if they’re struggling.

Lastly, even if you’re child doesn’t have all the symptoms listed here, if they have a fever and seem unhappy get to the Doctor it’s better to be a paranoid Mum than have a sick child and a bad case of the Mummy guilts!

Melissa B

If you become concerned about any symptoms please seek immediate medical attention we have some hotlines and suggested websites for further information and advice  https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/babies/important-hotlines-websites/

SAHM takes no responsibility for any illness, injury or death caused by misuse of this information.  All information provided is correct at time of publication.