How to Diagnose a Child's Bladder Infection
- 1). Notice frequent urination. If your child urinates right before getting in the car, and then 10 minutes later is dying to go to the bathroom again, this is a pretty strong sign. There are exceptions, of course--sometimes a day at the beach or pool, where your child gets waterlogged, causes more frequent urination.
- 2). Note if your child complains of pain with urination. Sometimes a child won't say anything if the pain isn't very bad. You have to couple this symptom with frequent urination, and ask your child if she's having pain. Pain and frequency typically go hand in hand.
- 3). Notice the color of the urine. Sometimes there is diluted blood in the urine, which will make it appear pink. This can also be the sign of a kidney infection. Check for fever or chills, which are signs of kidney infection.
- 4). Observe bladder pressure. Sometimes a child will go to the bathroom and then still sit on the toilet because they feel the pressure to pee even though their bladder is empty. Most children will not want to get up, wanting to still empty the bladder even though there's nothing in it.
- 5). Get a urine test. If you child has some or all of these symptoms, a simple urine test at the doctor will determine if there is bacteria in the urine. Antibiotics and cranberry juice will probably be prescribed.
