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Consult your doctor to diagnose your child's UTI

	If your child is young and cannot describe symptoms yet, and they have a fever or seem unwell for no clear reason, a urinary tract infection may be the cause. ConsumerReportsHealth.org can help you find treatments that work well for UTIs in children.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org today and find which antibiotics rate best for treating UTIs in children.

Consumer Reports Health explains the best and most up-to-date expert research and evidence about treating urinary tract infections in children. Our clear and sound advice helps you and your doctor choose the best treatment options.

Key points for children with urinary tract infections

• A urinary tract infection (UTI) is caused by germs (bacteria) growing in your child's bladder or the tubes that carry urine.
• Sometimes bacteria infect the kidneys.
• If your child has a fever, seems unwell for no obvious reason, is irritable, feels sick to her stomach, has urine that smells unusual, and urinates often, she could have a UTI.
• Older children might also complain of pain in their abdomen.
• You can find out for certain whether your child has a urinary tract infection by seeing your doctor.
• Urinary tract infections are easily treated with antibiotics.

Your child's urinary tract is usually free of bacteria, but bacteria on the skin around your child's rectum or genitals can sometimes travel up the urethra to the bladder and the kidneys. Your child should start to feel better after a day or two of taking antibiotics. Your doctor might recommend further treatment for your child if there are signs of a future infection that could damage their kidneys.

Our concise condition report and treatment ratings table will help you and your doctor decide which treatment for urinary tract infections is right for your child. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, we'll also help you sort through the best research and the most effective treatments for over 100 conditions and illnesses that may affect you and your family.