Definition
Bladder or kidney infection with age-dependent signs.
Symptoms
Unexplained fever, irritability or poor feeding in babies; burning or frequency in older children.
How it may be discovered
Fever without an obvious cause or urinary symptoms.
When to seek care
Under three months with fever of 38°C or more, severe lethargy, dehydration or vomiting needs urgent assessment.
Investigations and tests
Reliable urine collection before antibiotics when possible, without delaying severe infection treatment; selected imaging.
Reaching a diagnosis
Culture is interpreted with symptoms and collection method; a contaminated bag specimen cannot confirm infection.
Treatment options
Appropriate antibiotics and management of constipation or emptying problems. Recurrent or atypical infections may require investigation for abnormalities.
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