Urinary Tract Infection in Kids

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.

Tonsillitis: Symptoms & Treatment

Tonsils are oval-shaped lymphatic tissues that fight infection. They consist of various kinds, but the most common are the palatine tonsils, which are located on both sides of the throat. Sometimes, tonsils become infected themselves, causing them to become inflamed. This condition is called tonsillitis. Although tonsillitis can occur at any age, it is most common in children between 5 and 15 years of age.

Tonsillitis has several symptoms, including sore throat, fever, red and swollen tonsils, and painful swallowing. In many children, tonsils can become enlarged without any infection and shrink without treatment. If your child has these symptoms and don’t seem to get better over a number of weeks, take him to a pediatrician.

The pediatrician will evaluate your child to determine the correct course of treatment. The usual treatment for tonsillitis is prescription medication, but if your child has chronic, recurring tonsillitis, the pediatrician may recommend that he undergo a surgical procedure—called tonsillectomy—for the removal of the tonsils.

Should your child require tonsillectomy, both you and he/she need to be informed what will happen before, during, and after the surgery. Talking to the pediatrician and asking him all the questions in your mind will help you and your child understand the procedure better.

Information Regarding Flu Vaccines

Flu viruses are constantly evolving. Each year, scientists study thousands of flu virus samples from all over the world to determine how they are changing and how are they making people sick. The results of their study will allow them to forecast which viruses are likely to make a huge impact on the next flu season. These results will also allow them to formulate the appropriate vaccines.

When to get vaccinated?

The timing and duration of flu seasons vary, but in general, yearly flu vaccination should begin in September. Other than that, vaccination can start as soon as the vaccine is made available. For your information, antibodies that provide protection against flu viruses develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination.

How many shots will a child need?

If your child is 9 years or older, he will need only one immunization regardless of what flu immunizations he has received in the past. However, if your child is below 9 years of age, he may need two immunizations. Consult with your pediatrician to learn how many shots your child will need this flu season.

Additionally, if your child is under 6 months of age, all surrounding family members and caretakers must also be vaccinated. If everyone around the infant is protected, the risk that the infant will contract the virus decreases.