Frequent UTIs

[SixImpossible]

11yo dd keeps getting UTIs. Generally we seem to be able to flush them out with plenty of drinking, but when that doesn't work she ends up on antibiotics. Sometimes she needs two courses of ABs.

I don't like her having so many ABs, and of course I don't want her to constantly have UTIs. She knows about not wiping forwards, and if she didn't then I'm sure she would have thrush, too.

How can I help dd? Is there anything non-conventional that she can take regularly to prevent UTIs?

She should be being referred to a urologist for investigations if she keeps getting them. Does she get constipated? That doesn't help

yy investigation for kidney reflux would be a sensible next step. ask about being referred on.

Iirc the nice guidance has some info about managing recurrent uti

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg54/chapter/introduction

She had an ultrasound scan when she was 5, and they said then that there were no abnormalities. I know that they were checking that she was voiding completely (she was), and I think that they checked the kidneys and ureters, too.

I'll look at that link ASAP, thanks. (Not displaying properly on my device.)

But reflux can't be picked up on a normal ultrasound. She would need MCUG or MAG3/ DMSA scan, which a urologist would certainly recommend

How many UTIs are enough to warrant further investigations?

I think it depends on the circumstances- you could try googling

Drinking cranberry juice worked for me. I went for Raspberry and Cranberry juice as I found Cranberry bitter for me on its own.

Cranberry juice has no preventative effect. We've tried.

I can't find any guidance which defines 'recurrent UTIs'.

I think what I might do is stop flushing out UTIs, but get her dipsticked every time, so that the GPsees just how frequent they are.

From my reading, there is no real treatment for kidney reflux, just prophylactic antibiotics and 'management'. In other words, the thing I want to avoid (lots of ABs) and the thing I'm currently doing (drink lots, wee frequently, decent hygiene, avoid constipation).

There most certainly are treatments for urinary reflux, and it's essential that she is referred and properly investigated- it can lead to kidney damage and potential failure. I'm not trying to scare you, but recurrent uti's in children do need proper attention. Just explain to the GP how many she has had an ask for a urology referral.