Urinary
tract infections (UTI) in children can occur in the bladder or
kidney. They are especially common in girls and uncircumcised boys.
By age 5, about 8 percent of girls and 1 to 2 percent of boys will
have had UTI. Possible kidney scarring is an important reason to
prevent, detect, and treat UTI, as scarring can lead to serious
kidney
problems for a child down the road.
Causes
of UTI
UTI
occurs when the bladder, kidneys, ureters, or urethra become
infected. Infection is often caused by stool bacteria. Usually, these
bacteria enter the urinary tract from outside the body. However,
there are cases in which the bacteria in the bloodstream enter the
kidney, causing the infection. Aside from bacteria, viruses such as
adenovirus can also cause UTI.
Symptoms
of UTI
The
most common symptoms of UTI are fever, vomiting, and flank pain.
Diarrhea can sometimes accompany the condition. Infants with UTI may
be jaundiced, irritable, and feeding poorly.
Is
UTI contagious?
UTI
is not directly contagious. The bacteria that causes it, however, can
be spread by touch.
How
long does UTI last?
UTI
may persist until treated. Once treatment begins, improvements are
often rapid. A UTI infection is usually cleared within 2 weeks or
less of treatment.
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