UTI is an abbreviation for bladder infection and means Urinary Tract Infection. The urine inside the bladder is normally sterile and any bacteria should not be living there. Bacteria are present in the vaginal area and the penis where they find warm, moist environments. Bacteria can start to move up the urethra and if they reach the bladder, can start to multiply. Before they can start to multiply these bacteria are flushed out of the urethra by urination. Sometimes the bacteria takes hold and causes an infection. Generally girls are more prone to bladder infections than boys because the female urethra is much shorter and the bacteria has less distance to travel into the bladder.

There are five factors that lead to bladder infection. One of them is irritation of the urethra caused by many substances, like soap, bubble bath, stool, or clothing. These substances can cause soreness of the urethra, which makes it easier for bacteria to invade. Holding the urine in allows the bacteria to get to the bladder and multiply within the bladder. The tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder, or the urethra, during development in the uterus don't develop properly or aren't hooked up right. So the risk of bladder infections may be increased. Constipation involves large amounts of stool sitting in the colon that can press up against the bladder and urethra, and it is more difficult for the bladder to drain completely. In this case bacteria grow.

Improper wiping can increase stool and bacteria around the urethra. During the first year of life an uncircumcised male has a higher chance of bladder infections. It is not true that a significant decrease in the risk of bladder infections is present to circumcised males.

Symptoms of bladder infection are pain or burning with urination, frequent urination, a very strong painful urge to urinate, fever and foul-smelling urine. These symptoms show that a bladder infection might be.

A bladder infection caused by bacteria can ascend up into the kidneys and cause a kidney infection that can be very serious because this infection can scar the kidneys. There are cases when bladder infections don't turn into kidney infections, and a small scar in one kidney infection is inoffensive. Kidney infections must be taken very seriously and treated promptly. A kidney infection has the following signs: lower back pain or side pain, high fever (usually 102? or higher) and vomiting.

The only way to diagnose a bladder infection is a checking urine sample. A simply treatment with antibiotics will be prescribed to older children who have had several bladder infections. A urine should be checked at these children for other infection. A urine collection bag over the penis or vagina can be taken from to the infants in diapers. Before the collection the area must be cleaned with a wipe and must pay attention because bacteria that live in this area can get into the urine sample and confuse the results.

A way to collect as sterile sample quickly is introduction into the bladder through the urethra to a tiny catheter tube. This is done only when the doctor decides that is really necessary because it is painful.

To collect a "clean catch, midstream" urine sample must be done the following things like: the penis or vagina must be wiped, a sterile urine cup with the lid unscrewed must be ready. Usually the first urination in the morning is collected because it is more accurate. Two seconds after the urination must be collected about a half inch of urine. The sample must be taken to the lab within 40 minutes of collection because bacteria can start to grow in the sample. A fresh sample is preferable but if needed the sample can be placed in the refrigerator overnight.

If any of these symptoms occur to a child a doctor must be consult for a proper treatment.