Can a baby start antibiotics before a urine test for UTI?

Question

Hi doctor,

My son is 20 months old. He is suffering from a UTI. Since yesterday, he has cried while urinating in the morning. He has a fever for two days, a cough, and runny nose for five days. The general physician gave Cefpodoxime oral syrup, but a urine test has to be done tomorrow morning only. Should we start the antibiotic? No pediatrician nearby and we have to drive six hours to another town for the pediatrician. Please suggest me.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

Crying while voiding urine and fever might be due to a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Urine routine and microscopy needs to be done for screening, and if it suggests infection, then a urine sample for culture and sensitivity needs to be given, and oral antibiotics have to be started. The culture report, which takes two to three days, will guide the further use of antibiotics if any infection is positive.

Antibiotics should be started only after giving off a sample for culture and sensitivity if a UTI is suspected. Giving a urine sample for testing after taking antibiotics might alter the test report and delay the infection.

I hope that you get your answer.

Please let me know if you need any help.

Thank you.