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Does my child have a urinary tract infection?
Learn the signs of a UTI in children and what you can do at home to help.
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What it is
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in the system that carries urine out of the body. This includes the bladder, the urethra, and the kidneys [3]. UTIs are usually caused by bacteria from poo entering the urinary tract through the urethra [6]. Children can get them too.
In children, the signs can be different from adults. Your child may have a high temperature, feel hotter than usual if you touch their neck, back, or tummy, or appear generally unwell [1]. Babies and young children may be irritable and not feed, eat, or drink properly [1]. They may also wet the bed or wet themselves, or be sick [1].
Other common symptoms include pain or a burning feeling when peeing, needing to pee more often than usual, or needing to pee suddenly or more urgently [3]. You might also notice pee that looks cloudy, or blood in the pee [3]. Your child may complain of lower tummy pain or pain in the back, just under the ribs [3]. A high temperature, or feeling hot or cold and shivery, can also happen [3].
What you can do at home
If you think your child has a UTI, you can help ease the symptoms while you seek medical advice.
- Give children’s liquid paracetamol up to 4 times a day to reduce pain and a high temperature [2].
- Make sure your child rests and drinks enough fluids so they pass pale urine regularly during the day [2].
- Avoid drinks that may irritate the bladder, like fruit juices [2].
To help prevent UTIs from happening or returning, you can try these things:
- Wipe from front to back when you go to the toilet [8].
- Keep the genital area clean and dry [8].
- Drink plenty of fluids, particularly water, so you regularly pee during the day [8].
- Promptly change nappies if they are soiled [8].
- Wear cotton underwear [8].
There is no evidence that cranberry drinks or products help ease symptoms or treat a UTI if the infection has already started [2]. If a doctor thinks your child has a UTI, they may do a urine test, although this is not always needed [4]. They may offer self-care advice, recommend a painkiller, or give a prescription for a short course of antibiotics [4]. Sometimes they may ask you to wait 48 hours to see if symptoms go away on their own [4]. It is important to take all the medicine you are prescribed, even if your child starts to feel better [4].
When to see a doctor or go to the emergency department
Ask your doctor for an urgent appointment or get medical advice if your child is aged 15 or younger and you think they may have a UTI [7]. You should also seek urgent advice if:
- Your child has a very high or low temperature, feels hot or cold, or is shivering [7].
- Symptoms get worse quickly, or do not improve within 48 hours of starting treatment [7].
- Your child keeps getting UTIs (2 within 6 months, or 3 within 12 months) [7].
- There is blood in the pee – it may look bright pink, red, or dark brown [7].
- Your child has pain in the lower tummy or in the back, just under the ribs [7].
- Your child has a weakened immune system [7].
Call your emergency number or go to the emergency department now if your child is confused, drowsy, or has difficulty speaking [7]. Do not drive to the emergency department. Ask someone to drive you or call your emergency number and ask for an ambulance [7].
Common questions
Can a UTI go away on its own? Sometimes a GP may ask you to wait 48 hours before getting antibiotics in case symptoms go away on their own [4]. Antibiotics are not always needed for a UTI [3].
What if symptoms do not go away after treatment? If your child has been treated for a UTI but still has symptoms, speak to your GP and ask to be referred to a specialist [5]. Sometimes short-term antibiotics may not work, and this might mean a long-term (chronic) UTI [5].
Are UTIs common in children? People of any age can get UTIs [10]. Certain things increase the risk of bacteria getting into the bladder, including constipation in children [6].
Sources
[1] NHS — “Urinary tract infections (UTIs)” (2025), section “Symptoms in children”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/ [2] NHS — “Urinary tract infections (UTIs)” (2025), section “Things you can do yourself”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/ [3] NHS — “Urinary tract infections (UTIs)” (2025), section “Urinary tract infections (UTIs)”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/ [4] NHS — “Urinary tract infections (UTIs)” (2025), section “Treatment for a urinary tract infection (UTI)”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/ [5] NHS — “Urinary tract infections (UTIs)” (2025), section “Long-term (chronic) UTIs”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/ [6] NHS — “Urinary tract infections (UTIs)” (2025), section “Causes of urinary tract infections (UTIs)”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/ [7] NHS — “Urinary tract infections (UTIs)” (2025), section “Symptoms in older, frail people or people with a urinary catheter”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/ [8] NHS — “Urinary tract infections (UTIs)” (2025), section “How to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs)”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/ [10] MedlinePlus — “Urinary Tract Infections” (2025), section “Introducción”, p. 1 — https://medlineplus.gov/urinarytractinfections.html
This guide summarises published paediatric guidelines. It is not medical advice and does not replace your paediatrician. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
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