UTI in 4 year old

[Cheshire]

My 4yo has a UTI. I took him to the doc on a Friday and she said from the quick dip in his urine it only showed some white and red blood cells but not something else (it's been a couple of weeks and I can't remember what she called it???). She thought he might be having bladder spasms and said his foreskin was a little irritated looking. She did not retract or even talk about if he's retracting or not, etc. Very quick peek at him and that was it. She said to let him soak in warm water with baking soda and no bubble baths (we don't do those anyway).

After they cultured his pee over the weekend they called and said he did have an infection and called in an antibiotic. We made sure he took the full dose and thought we were done. Well, a few days later he started complaining about his bladder hurting after he pee'd.

I'm going to call the doc's office tomorrow and see if we can just come by and pee in a cup again to see if the bacteria has cleared up. I'm stumped. I've had a couple of UTIs and medicine has always helped. Maybe they gave him the wrong kind for the type of bacteria he had???

What do you guys think could be going on?

Edited to add - sorry this sounds so scattered - long day at work. :-)

[tammyswanson]

I wonder if maybe the antibiotic didn't work? I really don't know. I have had a few UTI's, but they cleared up when I would drink cranberry juice (sweetened) one glass a day until the symptoms went away.

I hope it clears up for your DS!

[latinalonestar]

I don't have much advice about the spasms but one thing you said struck me. You said that the doc pointed out how the foreskin was red. Just so you know the foreskin has nothing to do with the UTI. If the doc was suggesting that it does then he/she is wrong.

Have you tried cranberry juice?

Also, you want to get him on some probiotics to prevent yeast infection. Or you can also buy acidophilus drops to us on his penis to prevent yeast.

Remember that some redness can be normal if separation has started and/or if he is having ballooning (normal too) If his foreskin seems unusually red you can have them do a culture to see if there is a yeast infection or a bacterial infection. All they have to do is touch a swab to the tip of his penis. They should not try to retract for any reason. If he had an infection it would be present on the outside of the tip. I will bump a thread that might help you address the redness. The baking soda bath is a good place to start.

[latinalonestar]

Here is the thread:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=764732

[mamaverdi]

Did they do sensitivities with the culture? This says what antibiotic the bacteria is sensitive to.

It could be that it is a kidney infection that requires a longer course of antibiotics.

Also, the word is likely "nitrates" for what wasn't there.

I'm sorry you are going through this.

[robertandenith]

you could probably switch back and forth with baking soda baths and epsom salts.

I also have a sprayer bottle that I keep next to my wipes, I fill it up with water and an oz of vinegar. We only do cloth wipes with water though.

[Haselnuss]

Definitely sounds like the antibiotic was wrong. I had a UTI two years ago that didn't respond to an antibiotic, but then went away when I drank large quantities of cranberry juice. Definitely give him yogurt, too, to prevent a yeast infection!

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Was this his first UTI and now he is hurting again?

Did the Dr. suggest having a VCUG to check for urinary reflex if it happened again? I would probably bring it up myself if she didnt.

[Bea]

Originally Posted by Cheshire

My 4yo has a UTI. I took him to the doc on a Friday and she said from the quick dip in his urine it only showed some white and red blood cells but not something else (it's been a couple of weeks and I can't remember what she called it???)

Nitrites?

TBH, I think it's odd that she initially ruled out a UTI on the basis of the urinalysis. A dip positive for leukocytes (white blood cells) and blood is screaming potential UTI whether or not nitrites are present. I'm glad she cultured and antibiotic sensitivty should be a standard part of that. I'd give her a call and talk about it.

Cranberry juice is a great idea too!

[Cheshire]

Thanks everyone! She thought that since the tip of his foreskin was irritated looking it might have been the cause for the blood cells showing up in the dip - not that it was an indication of a UTI (sorry for the confusion).

He has super sensitive skin (gets it from me) and the tip of his foreskin always looks red. He says it doesn't hurt and he sure doesn't treat it like it does.

He had a yeast infection when he was 2yo. I talked to the doc's nurse at that time and she suggested we treat it for yeast before bringing him in. She said if the OTC stuff didn't provide any relief in 24 hours to call back. I was so glad she was knowledgeable over the phone and we didn't have to take him in. I don't think he has another yeast infection - no puss, swelling or anything like that. He just points to his tummy after he pees and says it hurts.

This is his first UTI. When I took him in the doc said since he didn't show nitrates (thank you all for the word) in the dip that it might just be spasms - could be from bubble bath/soapy water. But, she wanted to culture it to be sure (I'm also glad she did).

I called the nurse just now and she said we were supposed to bring him in for a re-check but they never told me that. UGH! So, I'm going to take him in tomorrow so he can pee in a cup (at least he thinks that's funny).

I'll be sure and ask them about the exact bacteria and antibiotic needed.

Thanks again!