infection after vesicoureteral surgery?

[nycmom02]

Hi,
My daughther is 19 months old and she had a double ureter on her left kidney and underwent corrective surgery 3 months ago.  We only found this out because she had a very high fever for several days and we found out that it was a kidney infection.  She's been on daily antibiotics all this time and on Monday, we went for a final post surgery check up.  We were told the sonogram looked good and she was taken off the antibiotics.  It's been 4 days and now she has a fever without any symptoms of a cold/flu.....  I'm afraid that she has another infection.  Is this common?  The doctor said that the surgery is 99% effective.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,
The withdrawal of the antibiotics doesn’t lead to the symptoms of UTI. However, there’s a possibility of UTI due to the loss of the protective effects of the antibiotic. The urine analysis will clarify the picture. However, as mentioned earlier drinking adequate water is extremely important as its role is no less than antibiotic in ensuring the flushing out of the bacteria. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care.

[nycmom02]

Thank you so much for your post!  I am taking her in to get a urine test today.  Is there any possibility that because she was taking the antibiotics for a few months that it was a "withdrawal" symptom?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,
Even if the surgery is effective, the chances of getting recurrent UTI is quite common and thus there’s a possibility of the same even if the surgery was quite effective. I’ll suggest getting a urine analysis done along with a urine culture. She might need further antibiotics depending on the urine report. Please do ensure that she takes a lot of water as that’s got a good flushing effect on the bacteria and will facilitate in the cure of the UTI. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care.