| UTI is an abbreviation for bladder infection and | | | | A bladder infection caused by bacteria can ascend |
| means Urinary Tract Infection. The urine inside | | | | up into the kidneys and cause a kidney infection |
| the bladder is normally sterile and any bacteria | | | | that can be very serious because this infection |
| should not be living there. Bacteria are present in | | | | can scar the kidneys. There are cases when |
| the vaginal area and the penis where they find | | | | bladder infections don't turn into kidney infections, |
| warm, moist environments. Bacteria can start to | | | | and a small scar in one kidney infection is |
| move up the urethra and if they reach the | | | | inoffensive. Kidney infections must be taken very |
| bladder, can start to multiply. Before they can | | | | seriously and treated promptly. A kidney infection |
| start to multiply these bacteria are flushed out of | | | | has the following signs: lower back pain or side |
| the urethra by urination. Sometimes the bacteria | | | | pain, high fever (usually 102º or higher) and |
| takes hold and causes an infection. Generally girls | | | | vomiting. |
| are more prone to bladder infections than boys | | | | The only way to diagnose a bladder infection is a |
| because the female urethra is much shorter and | | | | checking urine sample. A simply treatment with |
| the bacteria has less distance to travel into the | | | | antibiotics will be prescribed to older children who |
| bladder. | | | | have had several bladder infections. A urine should |
| There are five factors that lead to bladder | | | | be checked at these children for other infection. A |
| infection. One of them is irritation of the urethra | | | | urine collection bag over the penis or vagina can |
| caused by many substances, like soap, bubble | | | | be taken from to the infants in diapers. Before |
| bath, stool, or clothing. These substances can | | | | the collection the area must be cleaned with a |
| cause soreness of the urethra, which makes it | | | | wipe and must pay attention because bacteria |
| easier for bacteria to invade. Holding the urine in | | | | that live in this area can get into the urine sample |
| allows the bacteria to get to the bladder and | | | | and confuse the results. |
| multiply within the bladder. The tubes that connect | | | | A way to collect as sterile sample quickly is |
| the kidneys to the bladder, or the urethra, during | | | | introduction into the bladder through the urethra |
| development in the uterus don't develop properly | | | | to a tiny catheter tube. This is done only when |
| or aren't hooked up right. So the risk of bladder | | | | the doctor decides that is really necessary |
| infections may be increased. Constipation involves | | | | because it is painful. |
| large amounts of stool sitting in the colon that can | | | | To collect a "clean catch, midstream" urine sample |
| press up against the bladder and urethra, and it is | | | | must be done the following things like: the penis or |
| more difficult for the bladder to drain completely. | | | | vagina must be wiped, a sterile urine cup with the |
| In this case bacteria grow. | | | | lid unscrewed must be ready. Usually the first |
| Improper wiping can increase stool and bacteria | | | | urination in the morning is collected because it is |
| around the urethra. During the first year of life an | | | | more accurate. Two seconds after the urination |
| uncircumcised male has a higher chance of bladder | | | | must be collected about a half inch of urine. The |
| infections. It is not true that a significant decrease | | | | sample must be taken to the lab within 40 |
| in the risk of bladder infections is present to | | | | minutes of collection because bacteria can start to |
| circumcised males. | | | | grow in the sample. A fresh sample is preferable |
| Symptoms of bladder infection are pain or burning | | | | but if needed the sample can be placed in the |
| with urination, frequent urination, a very strong | | | | refrigerator overnight. |
| painful urge to urinate, fever and foul-smelling | | | | If any of these symptoms occur to a child a |
| urine. These symptoms show that a bladder | | | | doctor must be consult for a proper treatment. |
| infection might be. | | | | |