Prostate infections comprise only small percentage of all men with prostatitis. This small percentage is comprised of acute and chronic prostatic infections. E. coli and other Gram-negative bacteria cause most acute and chronic prostatic infections. Prostatic infection symptoms include groin pain, dysuria, pain with ejaculation, reduced urine output; and may include fever, malaise, and periodic recurrence of symptoms even after treatment. Seek medical care if symptoms develop, emergency care if fever or inability to urinate occurs. Diagnosis of prostate infections or prostatitis is made by identifying the agent (vast majority are bacteria) infecting the prostate. Treatment of prostate infections or prostatitis is usually antibiotics; chronic infectious prostatitis may require long-term antibiotic treatment, and severe infections may require hospitalization with IV antibiotics. Home care is limited to pain reduction. Men with a prostate infection or prostatitis need medical care. Follow-up is important to confirm adequate treatment results or to plan additional treatment if the infection reoccurs. Some prostate infections cannot be prevented, but reducing the risk of groin trauma or injury, avoiding sexually transmitted diseases, and staying well hydrated are ways to reduce the chance of getting infectious prostatitis. The prognosis of acute infectious prostatitis is usually good, but chronic infectious prostatitis is only fair because it is difficult to cure.
