Urininary tract infections are not at the top of our minds when we think of childhood illnesses and causes of fever. The reason for this is that it is difficult to recognise and often the child can't tell you how he or she feels.
WHAT IS IT?
It is an infection that can affect the urethra, bladder, ureter or the kidneys. There are many causes, but it's often caused by bacteria from the rectum entering the urethra.
Your child may have a fever, be irritable, have blood in the urine or unusual smelling urine. Your child might have pain in her back or tummy, or pain on passing urine. Infants may also have diarrhoea and vomiting and fail to gain weight.
WHAT TO DO
Consult a doctor or your healthcare worker if your child is unwell for no apparent reason. This is important to avoid damage to the urinary tract and to clear up the infection.
Should your child have frequent UTIs it is essential that the cause be established in order to take preventative action.
Something that can be done to reduce the risk of infection in girls is to clean the anus from front to back (away from the vaginal opening).