Antibiotics toddler UTI

[Fallingtobits]

Sorry not really AIBU but if there is anyone with medical knowledge about I would massively appreciate some advice.

I took DD(2) to the GP on Monday as she had quite a high temp of 39.4 since Sunday morning and dark smelly wee in addition to being constipated for a few days due to eating something that hadn't agreed with her. Doc said probably a UTI caused by being constipated. He prescribed lactulose and a short course of antibiotics.

Her final dose of antibiotics was tonight and she has literally only just seemed to start feeling better (temp and wearing without crying) this afternoon. I checked the leaflet that came with the antibiotics again and noticed that the dose prescribed was the dosage recommended for babies upto 5 months. DD was 2 in May. Would having half the recommended dose for her age have the same effect as not finishing the course? Should I go back or would it be wasting GPS time since it does seem to have cleared up now even if it was only hours before the final dose?

If it's cleared up just relax and ensure she is having enough water to drink.

Thanks, she's been drinking plenty of water. Was just worried because for all the antibiotics I've ever taken it says to complete the course even after the infection has cleared and technically she has only had half of what she should have for her age and size.

My gp does phone consultations - if you're worried maybe see if yours does too?

Hmm there will be far more knowledgeable people out there than me but from my own experience and reading of the NICE guidelines about a year ago I was lead to understand they are meant to have a 7-10 day course, not the three days they often give to adults. I would ring GP in the morning hopefully for a phone consultation if they do them especially as it only just seems to have cleared up

I'll ring in the morning and see if they do phone consultations. Thank you.

You can also phone and speak to pharmacist for advice if you can't get doctor. Bless her, hope she's well on her way to being fully recovered.

Same with my four year old. Uti last week, only a 3 days antibiotics. Dose was 5mls 3x a day.

She should have had 5ml twice a day apparently and has only had 2.5ml twice a day. I'm hoping she's fully recovered soon too. It must have been a horrible week for her and she's still knackered. I'm actually looking forward to her being full of mischief again and driving me up the wall.

Difficult to say anything helpful without knowing what antibiotic (and preferably what strength, as quite a few of them have more than one strength of the liquid version)?

(If it's trimethoprim, for which 3 days is recommended, then if it's the standard strength - 50mg/5ml - then it does sound like an underdose. But that's a lot of assumptions)

The recommended paediatric dosing for some common antibiotics has increased in theist couple of years. I use the new doses but many of my colleagues feel uncomfortable doing so and feel that children are getting more side effects with this so stick to the previous dosage recommendation. Hard to say without knowing the type and strength though. If you're unsure query it with your gp, most places you could phone for this rather than needing an appt.

Hi grain, the duration of antibiotics depends on several things. The source of infection, weight of patient, renal function, allergies etc. For an uncomplicated uti trimethoprim is first line, in females that's a 3 day course.

Hi falling, 3 days is standard treatment if using trimethoprim for a uti in females. It can be made upto different strengths so instead of going by the fluid amount in MLs you need to go by the strength, the amount of mg per ml. Think of children's paracetamol/cal pol, it's available in two different strengths and labelled for age. Check the strength and if you're not sure either ring the go or ask your pharmacist. Undertreating risks the condition returning and antibiotic resistance.

Sorry I fell asleep last night. It is exactly the type and strength of your assumptions nocool. Called into the gps this morning and they've advised to get a urine sample and drop it in to see if any more needs prescribing so going to drop that off very shortly. Thank you all for your advice.

Just to update glad I rang them as the urine sample showed she has still got a UTI despite it being as clear as water and her temp being back to normal. She still hasn't been herself today either. Another course of antibiotics to get through now and hopefully she'll be back to her usual happy self soon.

Well done for following your instincts, hope she feels better soon

Can you find out the name of the bacteria causing the UTI? The receptionist should be able to tell you. If it's an e-coli infection have a Google at D-Mannose.