Prostate Infection
Prostate infection or prostatitis is the bacterial infection or infections from other sources, caused in prostate gland due to various causes. The prostate gland, is an exocrine gland present only in the male reproductive system, just below the bladder. It secretes fluid that contributes to about 15-30% of the seminal fluid. The infection due to various causes ,inflames the gland, causing swelling. Prostate infection or prostatitis is mostly found in men of 30-50 years of age. Recent studies have found the incidence of prostate is higher than 8%. 50% of the men, have chances of developing infection at some or the other stages of life.Prostate infection can be acute (acute prostatitis) or chronic (chronic prostatitis).
Acute prostate infection or acute prostatitis is caused by bacterial infection that arises from the infected bladder, or sexually transmitted diseases.Symptoms of acute prostatitis are:
(a) Frequency of urine is increased
(b) Pain when urine is passed
(c) Pain in the genital organs
(d) Pain when semen is ejaculated
(e) The normal stream of urine is not formed
(f) High fever, chills,fatigue are the important associated symptoms.
If there is high fever, and bacterial infection is severe, the patient can be admitted to the hospital.
Prostate Infection
On rectal examination, the prostate feels enlarged, warm and tender. In laboratory findings,urine culture is done to find out the bacterial cause. Ultrasonography is performed to confirm the diagnosis.
Chronic prostate infection or chronic prostatitis is mostly found in men aged 35-45 years of age. The patient complains of persistent pelvic pain for weeks or months. Persistent recurring infections of urinary tract is a common cause of chronic prostate infection. The main symptoms are:
(a) Pain in the penis, lower back,or pelvis often aggravates while sitting.
(b) Blood in serum is rarely found
(c) Dysfunctional sexual organs
(d) Unsatisfactory ejaculation
On rectal examination, prostate is sometimes painful or is spongy in touch. On examination,discharge from the urethra is noticed and testis are tender to touch. In laboratory findings of chronic prostate infection or chronic prostatitis, white blood cells and infected bacteria are present in urine. In blood picture, slight rise in prostate specific antigen is found.
Treatment of prostate infection
Antibiotics like erythromycin, ordoxycycline, or ciprofloxacin can be given for 4-6 weeks, to cut down infection and inflammation. Other treatments of prostate infection are prostate massage and relaxants. By prostate massage the blockage in the ducts gets removed. Sometimes, in severe obstruction, a catheter is inserted. In the symptoms relapse as in chronic prostatitis, antibiotics are continued and 2-3 prostatic massages are done in a week. Very rarely, surgery is required.