Urinary tract infections (UTIs) happen when bacteria (germs) get into the bladder or kidneys. This can cause a fever, pain when peeing, bad-smelling pee, an urge to pee often, bathroom accidents, belly or back pain, and other problems. Taking antibiotics kills the germs and helps kids get well again. To be sure antibiotics work, you must give all the prescribed doses — even when your child feels better.

• Give your child lots of liquids to drink. Avoid drinks with caffeine because they can irritate the bladder.
• Be sure your child takes all the antibiotics as prescribed. Your child should start to feel better in 2 days, but must keep taking the medicine to kill all the harmful germs.
• If your child has a fever and is uncomfortable, don't give aspirin. Instead:
  • You may give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand).
  • Ask your health care provider if it's OK to give ibuprofen (such as Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand).
• Let your child rest.
• Schedule any follow-up tests as your health care provider recommends.

Your child:

• isn't able to take the medicine
• starts throwing up
• seems to be holding in pee
• is constipated
• is not drinking liquids 
• has shivering and chills
• still has a fever or other signs of a UTI after 2 days on antibiotics
• has very bad belly pain
• gets pain in the side or lower back

Your child:

• is very sick
• has any of these signs of dehydration: 
  • a dry or sticky mouth
  • peeing less
  • no tears when crying
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness

How do health care providers diagnose UTIs? UTIs can show up differently depending on a child's age. A baby may have a fever, throw up, or be fussy. Older kids may have a fever, pain when peeing, lower belly pain, or an urge to pee often. Kids who are already toilet trained may have bathroom accidents when they have a UTI.

To diagnose a UTI, health care providers ask questions about what's going on, do an exam, and send a sample of pee for testing.

How can we help prevent UTIs? These steps can help prevent new infections:

• After a BM, bacteria in poop can move up the urethra (the tube that carries pee out of the body) into the bladder and cause infection. So teach your daughter to wipe from front to back after peeing or pooping.
• Pay attention to how often your child pees and poops. Holding in pee or being constipated (having few or hard-to-pass poops) can make a UTI more likely.
• Avoid bubble baths and perfumed products that can irritate the urethra.