What Is Acute Prostatitis?

Acute prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland. It’s a rare condition; approximately one man out of every 5,000 will develop acute prostatitis in his lifetime. A person suffering from the condition often experiences discomfort around his penis and anus, and difficulty with urination. The disorder is not contagious or life threatening and is often treated with antibiotics.

The condition arises suddenly as the result of an infection. Acute prostatitis occurs as microbes from the urine penetrate the prostate through the urethra, the canal which transmits urine out of the bladder to the penis. The bacteria reproduce quickly and often results in a urinary tract infection as well as a bladder infection.

A man with this infection may experience sharp pain in his prostate. Generally, pain starts at the base of the penis and then spreads to the testes as well as to the rest of the penis. The infection often causes frequent urination, and at night a man suffering acute prostatitis may need to get up frequently to urinate. In addition, a person suffering from the condition may experience soreness while urinating and extreme discomfort while passing stools. In some instances, a man may have a weak stream of urine or may not be able to urinate at all.

While suffering from acute prostatitis, a person may also experience a high fever and chills. The common symptoms include pain in the lower back and abdomen as well as general achiness. In some instances, a man may experience unusual discharges such as blood in the urine or a release of thick fluid from the penis. During ejaculation, a man may suffer discomfort as well.

The infection may be confirmed through a medical examination. During a probe of the rectum, an inflamed and oversensitive prostate gland is indicative of the condition. Also, a blood test and urine test can confirm acute prostatitis. An excessive number of white blood cells or high counts of bacteria in the urine may also signify prostatitis.

Treatment for acute prostatitis generally involves the use of antibiotics for at least a month. After the required course, the infection typically dissipates. If a person does not take the entire course of antibiotics, he risks a chronic infection. During the infection, a person may use stool softeners to make it easier to move his bowels. Doctors may recommend patients with acute prostatitis drink more water, as frequent urination aids in cleansing microbes from the body.