The first year a baby is born is the highest risk of being infected by various bacteria. Colds and other respiratory infections are typical. However, when the child is a little older, urinary tract infection may become the next most common disease. In particular, up to 8% of girls and 2% of boys are vulnerable to urinary tract infection by age 5. However, there are times when the symptoms are not evident, and parents sometimes have difficulty judging whether they are sick or not. Urinary tract infection is just a few days after receiving the right treatment, and if you miss the time, the disease becomes worse and it can cause kidney infection.
The human urinary system consists of the ureters, kidneys, and the bladder, which excrete the body's impurities and waste products out of the body. However, urinary tract infections make this task impossible. The institutions that make up the urinary tract can be described in detail as follows.
1. Two kidneys: filter out blood and extra water for urine production.
2. Two ureters: urine is carried from the kidney to the bladder.
3. Bladder: Store the urine in the body until it is released.
4. Urethra: Urine is discharged from the bladder to the outside of the body.
Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infection is an infection caused by invasion of microorganisms in the urinary system. Urinary tract infection in children is considered as a relatively common disease. Bacteria that invade the urethra are usually removed by urination, and if they do not drain properly, they can grow in the urinary tract. And that it develops into a urinary tract infection.
About 80% of urinary tract infections are caused by E. coli. In addition, Klebsiella and Staphylococcus aureus act as inducers. The developing organs are mainly bladder, but also affect the kidney. Both urinary tract infections, which most commonly affect children, are also bladder and kidney infections. If urinary tract infection affects the bladder, cystitis leads to pyelonephritis, and infection reaches the kidneys from the bladder. Both can be treated with antibiotics, but if not treated in a timely manner, kidney infection can cause serious health problems.
Causes of Childhood Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections are usually caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract from the skin around the anus or vagina. Escherichia coli is the most common cause of urinary tract infection. Most urinary tract infections occur when these bacteria or other bacteria enter the urethra through the anus.
And a child can get a urinary tract infection in many ways. First, bacteria that normally remain in the digestive system can penetrate the urethra and infect the urinary tract. In addition, the child's toilet paper on the floor of the toilet may come into contact with the genitals, causing the bacteria to invade the body. This is especially true for girls who are closer to the penis.
Some children may have urinary tract infections due to other health problems. For example, constipation can cause inflammation of the colon, which pressurizes the bladder and prevents the release of waste products. Or if the child has little urination due to a dysfunctional elimination syndrome associated with urination or defecation problems. In addition, urine flow from the bladder to the kidneys, causing a renal infection is a unique condition that causes the ureteric reflux is also a cause.
Diagnosis
It is wise for the parents to take them to the hospital immediately if the child has symptoms associated with urinary tract infection. In addition, several urine tests are performed to allow the doctor to make an accurate diagnosis.
* Urinalysis: Urinalysis is a test required to determine if there are signs of infection such as blood and white blood cells, and other bacteria are examined through a microscope.
* Urine culture: Urine culture results usually come in 24 to 48 hours. The doctor can analyze the sample to determine the type of bacteria that causes the urinary tract infection and determine the appropriate antibiotic treatment accordingly.
cure
Treatment of urinary tract infections is mainly through antibiotics as mentioned above. The main function of antibiotics is to kill the bacteria, usually cured in 3 to 10 days. The doctor then tests the child for another urine test to determine if the infection has been completely removed.
Parents should be able to carefully manage their prescriptions to ensure that the child is able to take all prescription drugs for complete treatment. If you stop taking medication early because you think your body is getting better, you may have additional infections because the bacteria are resistant to antibiotics.
