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What is Acute Prostatitis - Prostate Gland Infection |
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Written by Kimberly Vaughn, MD
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Sunday, 04 October 2009 |
Alternate Names : Prostate Gland Infection
Acute bacterial prostatitis is a sudden severe infection of the prostate gland caused by bacteria.
What is going on in the body?
The prostate gland is located at the base of a man's penis. It secretes substances into the semen that aid in fertility. The fluid in the prostate is normally sterile. Bacteria from urine can enter the prostate through the urethra. The urethra is the tube through which urine flows from the bladder to the tip of the penis. These bacteria can multiply and rapidly cause bacterial prostatitis. Acute bacterial prostatitis is almost always accompanied by an infection in the urinary tract from the same organism.
What are the causes and risks of the infection?
Bacteria commonly found in the intestines are usually responsible for urinary infections in older men. Conditions that make men more prone to urinary infections can contribute to prostatitis. One of these is the blockage of urine flow due to an enlarged prostate gland.
What are the treatments for the infection?
Acute bacterial prostatitis is treated with antibiotics, including:
- ciprofloxacin
- levofloxacin
- norfloxacin
- ofloxacin
- trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
Acute bacterial prostatitis combined with an enlarged prostate may lead to urinary retention and the inability to urinate. In this case, urine is extracted from the bladder through a small tube. The tube is placed through the skin of the lower abdomen directly into the bladder. This technique is used rather than placing a catheter through the urethra. The placement of a catheter through the urethra can cause complications when a person has acute bacterial prostatitis.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Many antibiotics cause stomach, rash, or allergic reactions. Placement of a tube to drain urine may cause bleeding, infection, or allergic reaction to anesthesia.
What happens after treatment for the infection?
Once the infection is effectively treated, the man can return to his normal activities.
How is the infection monitored?
Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
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