A kidney infection is not contagious, in that you could catch it by being near someone or touching them. However, the bacteria can be given to an older person via a nurse or caregiver not performing proper hand washing. It might be spread from one patient in a hospital to another patient by the same route. A nurse or doctor may not use proper sterile technique while inserting a urinary catheter. This is especially dangerous around a patient with a weakened immune system.
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