What Is Pyelonephritis?
7. Who Is at Risk for Pyelonephritis?
Overall, women are at higher risk than men due to their shorter urethras. Men are most at risk if they have an object, such as a kidney stone or an enlarged prostate gland, blocking their urine flow.
People with weakened immune systems from conditions like HIV, patients who take medication that suppress their immune systems (such as corticosteroids), and individuals with diabetes are at a greater risk for kidney infections. Those who use catheters are also at risk due to the chance of bacteria being introduced from the catheter into the urinary tract.
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