Prostate Disease

Prostate Infection

The invasion and propagation of disease causing organisms in the body is known as an infection. Infection may be restricted to a particular location or may spread throughout the entire body. Infection of the prostate gland is often described as prostatitis. The condition caused by infection with bacteria is called bacterial prostatitis. Bacterial prostatitis may be acute or chronic and can be caused by any bacteria that can cause a urinary tract infection (UTI) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Symptoms can include fevers, chills, burning or pain with urination, blood in the urine, foul-smelling urine, weak stream, and difficulty with emptying the bladder.

Medication Treatment

Medication treatment for infectious prostatitis includes anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics. For acute bacterial prostatitis patients are prescribed antibiotics for 2 weeks. Most types of acute infections can be cured with this treatment. Antibiotic treatment for chronic bacterial prostatitis may last anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks. Persistent infections may require an extended period of treatment on low dose antibiotics. Pain medications, muscle relaxants, and stool softeners also may be prescribed for symptom relief.