Urinary Tract Infection - Female

When to Call for Urinary Tract Infection - Female

Care Advice

Treatment for a Bladder Infection

1. What You Should Know about Bladder Infections:
   • Bladder infections are common in girls.
   • Most infections do not respond to the first dose of an antibiotic.
   • Often the bladder symptoms do not improve the first day.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Keep Giving the Antibiotic by Mouth:
   • UTIs need a prescription antibiotic. It will kill the bacteria that are causing the bladder infection.
   • Give it as directed.
   • Try not to forget any of the doses.
   • Give the antibiotic until it is gone. Reason: To keep the bladder infection from flaring up again.
3. Pain Medicine:
   • For pain when passing urine, give a pain medicine.
   • You can use an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
   • Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil).
   • Use as needed.
4. Fever Medicine:
   • For fevers above 102° F (39° C), give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
   • Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil).
   • Note: Fevers less than 102° F (39° C) are important for fighting infections.
   • For all fevers: Keep your child well hydrated. Give lots of cold fluids.
5. Give More Fluids:
   • Give extra fluids to drink. Cranberry juice may be helpful.
   • Reason: Fluids dilute the urine so that it does not sting.
6. Baking Soda Baths - For Young Girls:
   • Soak for 10 minutes to remove germs and to help with healing.
   • Add 2 ounces (60 mL) baking soda per tub of warm water.
   • Reason: Baking soda is better than vinegar for young girls.
   • During soaks, be sure she spreads her legs. This allows the water to cleanse the genitals.
   • Repeat baking soda soaks 2 times per day for 2 days.
7. Vinegar Warm Water Soaks - For Older Girls After Puberty:
   • Soak the genital area for 10 minutes to remove irritants and decrease pain.
   • Add 2 ounces (60 mL) vinegar per tub of warm water. Reason: After puberty, vinegar water matches the normal acid level of the vagina.
   • During soaks, be sure she spreads her legs. This allows the water to clean the genital area.
   • Repeat vinegar water soaks once per day until is better.
8. Young Girls - Avoid Soaps:
   • Avoid bubble bath, soap, and shampoo to the vulva. Reason: They are irritants and can lead to a UTI.
   • Only use warm water to clean the vulva area.
9. What to Expect:
   • Fever is usually gone in 48 hours.
   • Pain and burning are often much better in 48 hours.
   • Frequency (passing small amounts of urine often) is also usually better in 48 hours.
   • Bladder infections occur more than once in 10% of girls.
   • For any future fever without other symptoms, call your doctor's office. Your child should be seen for a urine check.
10. Return to School:
    • Bladder infections cannot be spread to others.
    • Your child does not need to miss any school or child care.
11. Call Your Doctor If:
    • Pain when passing urine becomes severe
    • Fever lasts over 48 hours after starting the antibiotic
    • Vomiting and can't keep down the antibiotic
    • You think your child needs to be seen
    • Your child becomes worse

Prevention of Bladder Infections in Girls

1. Tips for How to Prevent UTIs in Girls:
   • When your child bathes, clean the genital area with warm water. Soap is not needed for young girls.
   • Don't use bubble bath, shampoo or other soaps in the bath water. Reason: They are irritants.
   • Keep bath time less than 10 minutes. Your child also should pass urine right after baths.
   • Teach your daughter to wipe herself correctly from front to back after a stool.
   • Drink enough fluids each day to keep the urine light-colored.
   • Pass urine at least every 4 hours during the day and avoid "holding back."
   • Wear cotton panties. Reason: To allow the skin to breathe. Your child doesn't need to wear panties during the night.
   • Avoid constipation.
2. Call Your Doctor If:
   • You have other questions or concerns

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.