What should you know about covid prostatitis?

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate. It can cause painful urination, urinary urgency, frequent urination, difficulty passing urine, pain between the scrotum and anus, pelvic discomfort, or fever. COVID-19 symptoms may overlap with other illnesses, but a urinary symptom should not be attributed to COVID-19 without assessment.

A clinician may ask about the timing of symptoms, fever, sexual health, previous urinary problems, medicines, and urine flow. A Urinary Tract Infection can produce similar symptoms. Examination and urine testing may help decide whether inflammation, infection, blockage, or another condition is involved.

Arrange a GP Consultation for new, persistent, or troublesome urinary symptoms. Drink enough fluid to avoid dehydration unless a clinician has told you to restrict fluids, and avoid irritants that clearly worsen symptoms, such as alcohol or heavily caffeinated drinks. Use pain relief only if it is suitable for your health and other medicines.

Do not use leftover antibiotics or share someone else's prescription. Antibiotic Treatment may be appropriate for bacterial prostatitis or a urinary infection, but it is not useful for every type of prostate inflammation. Take a prescribed course exactly as directed and report worsening symptoms.

Seek urgent medical help if you cannot pass urine, develop fever with pelvic or back pain, become confused or faint, or feel suddenly very unwell. Inability to empty the bladder can need prompt treatment. Repeated vomiting, shaking chills, or rapidly worsening pain also deserve urgent assessment rather than home observation.

Ask whether your symptoms fit Prostatitis, a Urinary Tract Infection, or another urinary problem; whether urine testing is needed; and which pain medicines are safe for you. Ask what to do if flow becomes weaker, urgency increases, or you cannot pass urine.