Prostatitis

Key facts

• Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland. It ranges from a sudden bacterial infection with fever and urinary pain to persistent, low-grade discomfort with no clear infectious cause.
• It's one of the most common urological complaints in men under 50.
• Acute bacterial prostatitis arrives fast, with fever, chills, and pain in the lower back or perineum; chronic bacterial prostatitis is subtler, with recurring urinary infections and lingering discomfort.
• Bacterial prostatitis is treated with antibiotics, often levofloxacin, for several weeks to fully clear the infection.

Recognising a bacterial flare

Acute bacterial prostatitis typically arrives fast: fever, chills, pain in the lower back or perineum, and a burning sensation when urinating. Chronic bacterial prostatitis is subtler, showing up as recurring urinary tract infections and lingering pelvic discomfort between episodes. Not all prostatitis is bacterial. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome causes similar symptoms without an identifiable infection and is managed differently, often needing a mix of pain control and pelvic floor treatment rather than antibiotics.

How bacterial prostatitis is treated

Bacterial prostatitis responds well to antibiotics that penetrate prostate tissue effectively. Fluoroquinolones such as levofloxacin are commonly chosen because they reach high concentrations in prostatic fluid. Treatment courses typically run for several weeks, longer than for a standard urinary infection, since fully clearing bacteria from the gland takes time.

When to see a doctor

Seek medical attention promptly if symptoms include a high fever, inability to urinate, or severe pelvic pain, since these can signal an abscess or a spreading systemic infection. Recurring urinary symptoms or ongoing pelvic discomfort are also worth a doctor's review, even without fever, to confirm the diagnosis and pick the right treatment.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.