Acute bacterial prostatitis: symptoms, treatment and urgent signs

It can cause fever, chills, pain around the pelvis or lower back, and burning, urgency or difficulty when passing urine. Because the infection can worsen quickly or obstruct urine flow, arrange same-day medical care rather than waiting for it to settle.

Bacteria infect the prostate gland, which sits below the bladder and surrounds part of the urethra. Swelling and inflammation can make urination painful, frequent, urgent or hard to start. Some people also develop pain between the scrotum and anus, discomfort during ejaculation, cloudy urine or a general feeling of being very unwell.

A clinician will ask about urinary and whole-body symptoms, examine you carefully and usually test a urine sample. Blood tests or imaging may be considered when illness is severe, urine cannot pass normally, or a complication is suspected.

Contact a GP or urgent-care service today. Take prescribed antibiotics exactly as directed and complete the course unless the prescriber changes it. Tell the clinician about allergies, other medicines, kidney problems and any recent urinary procedure so treatment can be chosen safely.

Rest, drink enough fluid to avoid dehydration unless you have been told to restrict fluids, and use only pain relief that is suitable for you. Avoid forcing urine or pressing firmly on the painful area. If symptoms fail to improve after treatment begins, or return after the course, seek reassessment because the medicine or diagnosis may need review.

Go to an emergency department if you cannot pass urine, become confused or unusually drowsy, faint, have severe weakness, develop rapidly worsening pain, or cannot keep fluids or medicine down. Fever with shaking chills, fast breathing or a racing heartbeat also needs urgent assessment because these can accompany a spreading infection.

Do not try to solve complete urinary blockage by drinking excessive amounts. Clinicians can relieve obstruction safely while treating the infection.

Ask which tests are needed, when your symptoms should be reassessed, what side effects your antibiotic may cause, and which pain reliever is compatible with your health conditions. You can also ask what to do if urination becomes harder and whether a repeat urine test is appropriate after treatment.