Urinary tract infection (UTI) in children

bladder urethra (the tube where urine leaves the body) kidneys

UTIs aren’t usually serious and can be treated with antibiotics if needed.

Speak to your GP if your child has symptoms of a UTI like: vomiting tiredness and lack of energy (lethargy) irritability not eating properly not gaining weight yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) in very young children pain or a burning sensation when peeing needing to pee frequently deliberately holding in their pee a change in their normal toilet habits, like wetting themselves or wetting the bed unpleasant-smelling pee cloudy pee

Phone 111 or speak to a GP urgently if: You think a child has a urinary tract infection (UTI) and they: are under 3 have a very high temperature, or feel hot and shivery have a very low temperature below 36C are confused or drowsy have pain in the lower tummy or in the back, just under the ribs have blood in their pee


Speak to your GP if your child has symptoms of a UTI like: vomiting tiredness and lack of energy (lethargy) irritability not eating properly not gaining weight yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) in very young children pain or a burning sensation when peeing needing to pee frequently deliberately holding in their pee a change in their normal toilet habits, like wetting themselves or wetting the bed unpleasant-smelling pee cloudy pee

Phone 111 or speak to a GP urgently if: You think a child has a urinary tract infection (UTI) and they: are under 3 have a very high temperature, or feel hot and shivery have a very low temperature below 36C are confused or drowsy have pain in the lower tummy or in the back, just under the ribs have blood in their pee


upper lower

An upper UTI means an infection of the kidneys or ureters. Ureters are the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder.

A lower UTI means an infection of the bladder (cystitis) or urethra. This is the tube that carries urine out of the body.

Symptoms

It’s very important to finish the prescribed course of antibiotics. This’ll prevent the infection from coming back.

Other treatments

If necessary, children can also take liquid paracetamol to help ease the symptoms of a UTI.

As a precaution, some children with a UTI may have to be treated in hospital. Your GP may advise you if this is necessary.

Don’t use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen to treat a UTI. These can harm the kidneys. Aspirin should never be given to children under the age of 16.


If any symptoms do come back, tell your GP as soon as possible.