Acute bacterial prostatitis is a serious inflammation of the prostate gland. The prostate gland is located beneath a man's bladder and produces some of the fluid that makes up a man's semen. Acute bacterial prostatitis is a rare type of prostatitis and is caused by a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection of the prostate gland. Other types of prostatitis include nonbacterial prostatitis, asymptomatic prostatitis and chronic bacterial prostatitis.
Acute bacterial prostatitis is generally the result of an infection that has spread to the prostate from another part of the body, often a urinary tract infection, such as a bladder infection.
Typical symptoms of acute bacterial prostatitis include severe pain in and around the base of the penis. There is also pain behind the scrotum. Men may also experience fever, hematuria, urgency and frequency. It may also be difficult to pass more than a small amount of urine. There may be a feeling of fullness in the rectum and a frequent urge to defecate.
Acute bacterial prostatitis is a medical emergency that can lead to life-threatening complications. For additional symptoms and more details about complications, refer to symptoms of acute bacterial prostatitis.
Risk factors for acute bacterial prostatitis include having a bladder infection, cystitis, HIV/AIDS, dehydration, trauma to the prostate, and the use of a urinary catheter.
Making a diagnosis of acute bacterial prostatitis includes taking a medical history, performing diagnostic testing, and completing a physical examination and an exam of the penis and testicles. A person with symptoms of acute bacterial prostatitis or other urinary symptoms also fills out an extensive questionnaire about symptoms.
Diagnostic testing includes an urinanalysis, testing of the semen, and a complete blood count. These tests check for signs of infection in the urine, semen and blood respectively. Other tests may be performed to rule-out other diseases or conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as nonbacterial prostatitis. This includes a cystoscopy procedure. In this diagnostic test, a small, flexible lighted viewing tube is inserted through the urethra to examine the prostate gland.
A diagnosis of acute bacterial prostatitis can be missed or delayed because symptoms may be similar to symptoms of other diseases and conditions, such as nonbacterial prostatitis, epididymitis or varicocele. For more information diseases and conditions that can mimic acute bacterial prostatitis, refer to misdiagnosis of acute bacterial prostatitis.
Treatment of acute bacterial prostatitis begins with prevention. Prevention includes promptly treating urinary tract infections and using good aseptic technique when inserting urinary catheters.
Treatment of acute bacterial prostatitis includes antibiotic medication. Acute bacterial prostatitis is a very serious infection that can lead to life-threatening complications, such as bacteremia, and may require hospitalization for treatment. Prompt diagnosis and treatment reduces the chances of developing serious complications. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of acute bacterial prostatitis. ...more »
Acute bacterial prostatitis: Acute bacterial prostatitis is the least common of the four types but also the easiest to diagnose and treat effectively. Men with ... more about Acute bacterial prostatitis.
Acute bacterial prostatitis: Bacterial prostatitis is a bacterial inflammation of the prostate gland, in men. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Acute bacterial prostatitis is available below.
Acute bacterial prostatitis generally presents with typical symptoms that include severe pain in and around the base of the penis and behind the scrotum. Men may also experience a variety of urinary symptoms similar to a urinary tract infection. These include bloody urine (hematuria), a strong sudden urge to urinate (urgency) and an urge to urinate ...more symptoms »
Acute bacterial prostatitis is very treatable if caught early before life-threatening complications develop. In some cases acute bacterial prostatitis is also preventable. Prevention measures include mediating any risk factors for the development of acute bacterial prostatitis. It is important for men with symptoms of cystitis or urinary tract infection, which are similar ...more treatments »
A prompt diagnosis and treatment of acute bacterial prostatitis minimizes the risk of developing serious complications, such as chronic bacterial prostatitis, prostate abscess, and bacteremia. However, a diagnosis of acute bacterial prostatitis can be missed or delayed because symptoms can be very similar to symptoms of other disease and conditions. ...more misdiagnosis »
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Prognosis for Acute bacterial prostatitis: Bacterial prostatitis usually clears with antibiotics. However, it is important to take the full course to completely clear the infection. There is a risk that an acute infection may become a chronic (persistent) infection if you do not take the full course of antibiotics.
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Acute bacterial prostatitis is the least common of the four types but also the easiest to diagnose and treat effectively. Men with this disease often have chills, fever, pain in the lower back and genital area, urinary frequency and urgency often at night, burning or painful urination, body aches, and a demonstrable infection of the urinary tract, as evidenced by white blood cells and bacteria in the urine. It is treated with an appropriate antibiotic. (Source: excerpt from Prostatitis Disorders of the Prostate: NIDDK)
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