Prostatitis; acute

Definition:

An inflammation of the prostate gland that develops suddenly.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Acute prostatitis is caused by a bacterial infection of the prostate gland. Many bacteria are capable of causing prostatitis. Escherichia coli is one of the more common types of infection. E. coli typically is found in the colon. Some sexually-transmitted diseases can cause an acute prostatitis. These include gonorrhea, chlamydia, U. urealyticum, and trichomonas.

E. coli is more often a cause of prostatitis than sexually transmitted diseases. E. coli prostatitis may follow urinary tract infections, urethritis or epididymitis. Prostatitis from a sexually-transmitted disease typically follows sexual contact with an infected partner.

Acute prostatis may also develop as a result of urethral instrumentation (such as catheterization or cystoscope), trauma, bladder outlet obstruction, or an infection elsewhere in the body.

Acute prostatitis often begins with chills and fever associated with lower abdominal discomfort or perineal pain. The person may have burning with urination and, depending on the degree of prostate swelling, a diminished urine stream or difficulty urinating. Bowel movements may increase the abdominal pain and ejaculation may be painful. Prostatitis (especially a STD) may occur in conjunction with epididymitis and/or orchitis in which case symptoms of these conditions may also be present.

Prostatitis is found in approximately 2 out of 10,000 outpatient visits. Increased risk is associated with men age 20 to 35 years old, who have multiple sexual partners, and those who engage in high-risk sexual behaviors (such as lack of condom use or anal intercourse).