Discharge Instructions for Pyelonephritis (Pediatric)
You child has been diagnosed with pyelonephritis. This is a kidney infection that can be serious and can damage the kidneys. Patients with severe infection are hospitalized. Here's what you can do at home to help your child.
When to Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor right away if your child has any of the following:
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Trouble urinating or decreased urine output
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Severe pain in the lower back or flank
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Fever above 101.5°F or shaking chills
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Vomiting
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Bloody, dark-colored, or foul-smelling urine
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Inability to take prescribed medication due to nausea or any other reason
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Urination and Hygiene
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Do what you can to get your child to urinate at least every 3 to 4 hours during the day. Make sure he or she does not delay. Holding in urine and overstretching the bladder can aggravate your child’s condition.
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Encourage your child to urinate in a steady stream rather than starting and stopping during urination. This helps to empty the bladder all the way.
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If your child is a girl, make sure she wipes from front to back.
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Wash the child’s genital area with a gentle soap (not bar soap) and rinse thoroughly with water. Dry thoroughly.
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Encourage your child to urinate after baths.
Other Home Care
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Be sure your child finishes all the medication that was prescribed—even if he or she feels better. If your child doesn’t finish the medication, the infection may return. Not finishing the medication may make any future infections harder to treat.
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Keep your child's bath water free of bubble bath, shampoo, or other soaps.
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Limit your child’s bath time to less than 15 minutes. If the child is old enough to shower, encourage showers instead of tub baths.
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Make sure your child changes out of a wet swimsuit as soon as possible.
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Have your child wear loose cotton underpants during the day. But avoid wearing underpants at night.
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Encourage your child to drink enough water each day to keep the urine light-colored. Ask your doctor how much water is recommended.
Follow-Up
Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.
Date Last Reviewed:
2/3/2006
Date Last Modified:
10/21/2004