Overview
The prostate is a gland found in the male body. This walnut-shaped gland sits below the bladder and secretes a fluid that mixes with sperm to form semen. Bacteria can enter the prostate and cause an infection called prostatitis. The bacteria enter the prostate from either the urinary tract or the bloodstream, according the Merck Manual of Medical Information. Bacterial prostatitis has two types: acute and chronic. The symptoms and treatment vary slightly between the two. A physician can diagnose prostatitis and prescribe a treatment plan.
Causes
Bacterial prostatitis begins after common forms of bacteria enter the prostate. Some of the bacteria most likely to cause an acute infection in the prostate include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia. Some individuals suffering from chronic prostatitis harbor the bacteria in the prostate after treatment and the infection easily recurs.
Symptoms
General symptoms of prostatitis mimics urinary tract infection symptoms including an increased need to urinate, pain during urination and pain in the pelvis, lower back and the perineum. Additional symptoms of prostatitis include painful ejaculations and difficulty urinating. Symptoms associated with an acute infection of prostatitis also include a high fever accompanied by chills, general feelings of sickness, nausea and vomiting. Chronic sufferers of prostatitis may experience mild symptoms that come and go.
Diagnosis
A physician diagnoses bacterial prostatitis after a physical examination and a fluid culture. Upon manually feeling the prostate with a finger placed in the rectum, the physician finds the prostate enlarged and tender for the individual, according to the Merck Manual of Medical Information. A culture of the fluid expressed from the prostate during the exam reveals bacteria.
Treatment
Oral antibiotics prescribed by the physician treat the bacterial prostatitis. The fluid culture helps determine the correct antibiotic to use for the infection. Taking the medication for 30 days to six weeks increases the likelihood of completely eradicating the bacteria. Stopping treatment early increases the chances of developing chronic bacterial prostatitis. Chronic acute prostatitis may require antibiotic therapy six months, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Additional treatment for prostatitis includes a prostate massage by the physician and a sitz bath to relieve the discomfort of the condition. Pain medications may also help relieve the pain and swelling in the prostate caused by the infection.
Complications
Possible complications associated with acute bacterial prostatitis include a risk of developing chronic prostatitis as well as a spread of the bacteria to the bloodstream. Chronic forms of prostatitis may cause abnormal semen, which affects male fertility.
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