Is iflammation and/or infection of the prostate gland found in men.

Can be acute or chronic

Acute prostatitis is typically caused by bacteria

Chronic can be caused by bacteria and nonbacterial causes.

Acute bacterial prostatits is usually caused by E.coli or Pseudomonas

Less typical infection is by Eneterococci

Routes of infection are urethra and reflux of infected urine into protatic ducts.

Can be associated through sexual transmisson

Prostatitis has been classified by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) into four categories:

Category 1 is acute bacterial prostatitis.

Category 2 is chronic bacterial prostatitis.

Category 3 includes the conditions previously known as nonbacterial prostatitis, prostatodynia and chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Category 4 is asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis.

Symptoms:

   -  Rectal, Sacral, or Perineal pain
   -  Fever
   -  Chills
   -  Difficulty voiding
   -  Pain with voiding
   -  Painful ejaculation
   -  Low back pain

Treatment:

   -  Appropriate Antibiotics

   -  Aplha-blockers

   -  Muslce relaxants

   -  Pain medications

   -  Surgical procedures

   -  Finasteride (Proscar) – lowers hormone level in prostate.  Is not used often