Urinary Infections

Urinary Infections

Usually it is little girls who develop infections of the urinary tract. The closeness of the urethra to the anus is the principal reason for this. Mothers should early teach their little daughters how to cleanse themselves after going to the toilet. Wiping the perineum should be done from front to back, in order to avoid contaminating the urethra and vagina with germs present from the stool. Careful hygiene may require special washing with soap and water after a movement. Drink an abundance of fresh soft water. It also helps to keep the kidneys cleansed. If a relaxed atmosphere surrounds the toilet training process and copious water drinking is encouraged, your child will have a healthful preventive to infections which otherwise could damage the kidneys for life.

The usual symptoms of urinary tract infection are burning or irritation with urination. These may be associated with vaginal discharge, fever, or back pain over the kidneys. You can find in most pharmacies a urine testing dipstick to analyze the specimen for infection. Urine examinations with the microscope can demonstrate the presence of bacteria and pus. The urine culture provides further guide to appropriate treatment. Make the urine acidic with cranberry juice or supplemental Vitamin C (500 mg. four times a day). This will help to eliminate bladder germs by inhibiting their multiplication in the bladder. The hippuric acid in cranberries also helps to decrease bacterial adhesiveness to the bladder wall. Hot and cold sitz baths, hot half baths or moist heating packs  over the kidney areas help to increase urine flow and white blood cell defenses in the area.