Signs & Symptoms of Prostate Infection

An infection of the prostate is also known as prostatitis, which literally means inflammation of the prostate. The prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut that is located just beneath the male bladder. Inflammation of this gland not only causes painful urination, but may also decrease the ability to urinate, along with other complications that may include but are not limited to infection, bladder obstruction, infertility and even blood poisoning.

Classifications

Prostate infections are generally divided into four categories, based on causes, present course of the condition, whether or not any immune activity or functions are involved and symptoms. These categories are ranked from one to four. Category one is defined as acute bacterial prostatitis, category two as chronic bacterial prostatitis and category three as chronic prostatitis with chronic pelvic pain. Category four, asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis, usually presents with either no symptoms or non-typical symptoms.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of a prostate infection is an urgency to urinate, but with very little results. Often, urination is accompanied by a burning sensation and very little urine is passed, despite the feeling of a full bladder. Many men complain of a difficulty in starting the urine flow. Additional symptoms include a fever, sometimes accompanied by chills, feelings of fatigue or weariness and often by muscle aches and joint pain. In more severe cases, blood may be noted in the urine, and lower back pain or pain on the pelvic floor is noted. Some men also experience difficulty in performing sexually.

Symptoms of Acute Bacterial Prostatitis

While many men experience common symptoms and seek early treatment, some don't. Signs that medical treatment should be sought include high fever, sometimes accompanied by chills. Many men complain of nausea, upset stomach and vomiting, which some may confuse as flu symptoms. However, whenever such symptoms present with difficulty urinating or pain in the lower abdomen, medical treatment should be sought.

Aysymptomatic Prostatitis

Asymptomatic means no symptoms. Some men suffering from chronic prostate infections don't experience any symptoms, and diagnosis is usually made only after tests for a different ailment note the presence of the infection.

Treatment

Treatment for prostatitis or a prostate infection usually involve the prescription of antibiotics in order to eliminate bacteria, as well as the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that are usually taken to relive discomfort. Treatment to relieve symptoms may also include non-medicine approaches such as sitting in a warm bath for about 10 minutes several times a day to relieve discomfort.