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Home › Articles › Nutrition and Health › The ABCs of UTIs

The ABCs of UTIs

Identifying and Treating Urinary Tract Infections

By Michele St. Martin

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UTIs are treated with antibiotics; however, how the antibiotic is administered and the number of days that it must be taken depend in part on the type and severity of the infection. Usually, the antibiotic is in liquid or pill form or given through injection. If a child is very sick or unable to drink liquids, the antibiotic may be given through an intravenous tube in the hand or arm.

While it is commonly believed that children with UTIs should drink as much liquid as possible, experts differ on whether this is necessary. The NIH says children should have as much liquid as they want, but that adults shouldn't push them to drink large amounts. The American Academy of Pediatrics, however, feels strongly that ingesting a certain amount of liquids is useful in treating UTIs.

Alyssa's Story

When Alyssa B. was 3 years old, she started telling her mother that it hurt when she urinated. Her mother, Brenda B., called for an appointment with Alyssa's pediatrician, and by the time of the appointment the following day, Alyssa had a fever of 103 and was complaining that her back hurt.

Alyssa's pediatrician did a dipstick test and told her mom that Alyssa had a simple bladder infection. The symptoms went away quickly, and Brenda nearly forgot about the UTI until Alyssa began complaining of the same symptoms a month later. This time Brenda got Alyssa into the pediatrician's office the same day. The pediatrician gently lectured Alyssa about the right way to wipe and sent them on their way with another prescription.

When her symptoms returned three weeks later, Brenda took her daughter to the hospital, where testing revealed a serious infection in Alyssa's kidney. Brenda was told that they were lucky that Alyssa's kidney continued to function normally.

"I can't emphasize how important it is to see a specialist if your child has more than one urinary tract infection," Brenda says.

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