What is prostatitis?
Prostatitis is the general term used to describe prostate inflammation (-itis). Because the term is so general, it does not adequately describe the range of abnormalities that can be associated with prostate inflammation. Therefore, four types of prostatitis are recognized.

What are the types and symptoms of prostatitis?

There are four types of prostatitis:

• acute bacterial prostatitis
• chronic bacterial prostatitis
• chronic prostatitis without infection
• asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis

Acute bacterial prostatitis causes and symptoms
Acute bacterial prostatitis is an infection of the prostate that is often caused by some of the same bacteria that cause bladder infections. These include E. coli, Klebsiella, and Proteus. While it may be acquired as a sexually transmitted disease, the infection can also spread to the prostate through the blood stream, directly from an adjacent organ, or as a complication of prostate biopsy.

Patients with acute bacterial prostatitis present with signs of an infection and may have:

• fever,

• chills, and

• shakes.

Commonly there is urgency and frequency of urination and dysuria (painful or difficult urination).

What is the treatment for prostatitis?
Acute bacterial prostatitis treatment
Treatment for acute bacterial prostatitis is a prescription for antibiotics by mouth, usually ciprofloxacin (Cipro) or tetracycline (Achromycin). Home care includes drinking plenty of fluids, medications for pain control, and rest.

If the patient is acutely ill or has a compromised immune system (for example, is taking chemotherapy or other immune suppression drugs or has HIV/AIDS), hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics and care may be required.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis treatment
Chronic bacterial prostatitis treatment is with long-term antibiotics, up to eight weeks, with ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Cipro XR), sulfa drugs [for example, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, (Bactrim)], or erythromycin. Even with appropriate therapy, this type of prostatitis can recur. It is uncertain as to why, but it may be due to a poorly emptying bladder. A small amount of stagnant urine allows the potential for recurrent infection to occur. This situation can be caused by benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), bladder stones, or prostate stones.

Chronic prostatitis without infection treatment
Chronic prostatitis without infection treatment addresses chronic pain control and may include physical therapy and relaxation techniques as well as tricyclic antidepressant medications.

Other medication possibilities include alpha-adrenergic blockers. Tamsulosin (Flomax) and terazosin (Hytrin) are drugs that block the non-heart adrenaline receptors and are used in treating BPH and bladder outlet obstruction. Allowing better bladder emptying may help minimize symptoms.