Could DS have a UTI?

[Llyra]

Suddenly in the past day and a half, DS has been wetting his pants. He's been consistently dry for MONTHS-- hasn't had an accident since last Christmas, in fact, even on long car rides. He's not having full-out accidents-- just dribbling a little, here and there. And now he comes to me and says his penis hurts-- he pointed to the underside of it, where the penis meets the scrotum. I'm wondering then if he maybe has a UTI. Should I take him to the doctor? Is it something that I can safely leave alone for a few days and see what happens? Or does he need abx? Do you think they'd want to catheterize a three year old? Our ped is reasonably literate about the intact penis, but there are other docs in that practice who aren't, and I don't know who I'd get if I took him in tomorrow, since our own doc is out on maternity leave right now.

[hram]

I dont usually post on here, but I wanted to comment since no one has. I dont have a son but my dd has had many uti's. If he can pee in a cup the will not give him a cath. That is only used when absolutely necessary. So even if they say they will have to, dont let them. Just help him pee in cup, or they sometimes even have little bowls the can set in the toilet that he can pee in if he will sit down. Then you can just pour it in a cup for them. If it is one, it will only get worse and cause lots of pain. We tried natual methods of clearing up a uti, but in the end she didnt understand that you have to pee a lot to clear it up. So now we go straight for abx. Thats just us though. If it doesnt get better in a day I would take my child in and have them test his urine. It wont hurt and you will have a quick answer. Just dont let them touch his penis, or make it very clear as soon as the dr comes in that his foreskin is not to be retracted.
i hope he feels better soon!

[eepster]

Minor set backs in potty training are normal and common (DS always had accidents after growth spurts.) The pain is most likely caused by chaffing from damp underwear.

That said, ruling out a UTI is a simple matter, so why take chances. Do not take him in to see the Dr. Just call up and ask to pick up a sterile specimen cup, which you will have your DS pee in. Then drop the specimen off at the lab. Even if they instruct you to, do not retract your DS to clean under the foreskin before he pees. Just clean the outside, and have him pee a tiny bit before filling the cup.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

great idea.