Prostatitis - bacterial - self-care: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P You have been diagnosed with bacterial prostatitis. This is an infection of the prostate gland.

T What to Expect
P If you have acute prostatitis, your symptoms started quickly. You may still feel ill, with fever, chills, and flushing (skin redness). It may hurt a lot when you urinate for the first few days. The fever and pain should begin improving over the first 36 hours.
P If you have chronic prostatitis, your symptoms are likely to begin slowly and be less severe. Symptoms will probably improve slowly over many weeks.

T Taking Your Antibiotics
P It is likely you will have antibiotics to take home. Follow the directions on the bottle carefully. Take the antibiotics at the same time every day.
P For acute prostatitis, antibiotics are taken for 2 to 6 weeks. Chronic prostatitis is treated with antibiotics for 4 to 12 weeks or longer.
P Finish all the antibiotics, even if you start feeling better. It is harder for antibiotics to get into prostate tissue to treat the infection. Taking all of your antibiotics will reduce the chance of the condition returning.
P Antibiotics may cause side effects. These include nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms. Report these to your doctor. DO NOT just stop taking your pills.

T Help With Your Symptoms
P Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, may help with pain or discomfort. Ask your doctor if you can take these.
P Warm baths may relieve some of your perineal and lower back pain.
P Avoid substances that irritate the bladder, such as alcohol, caffeinated beverages, citrus juices, and hot or spicy foods.
P Drink plenty of fluids, 64 or more ounces (2 or more liters) per day, if your doctor says this is OK. This helps flush bacteria from the bladder. It can also help prevent constipation.
P To reduce discomfort with bowel movements, you may also:
- Get some exercise every day. Start slowly and build up at least 30 minutes a day.
- Eat foods with high fiber, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables.
- Try tool softeners or fiber supplements.

T Follow-up
P See your health care provider for an exam after you finish taking antibiotics to make sure that the infection is gone.
P If you do not improve or you are having problems with your treatment, talk to your doctor sooner.

T When to Call the Doctor
P Call your provider if:
- You are unable to pass urine at all, or it is very difficult to pass urine.
- Fever, chills, or pain do not begin to improve after 36 hours, or they are getting worse.

T References
P McGowan CC, Krieger J. Prostatitis, epididymitis, and orchitis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, Updated Edition. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 112.
P Nickel JC. Inflammatory and pain conditions of the male genitourinary tract: prostatitis and related pain conditions, orchitis, and epididymitis. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 13.
P Yaqoob MM, Ashman N. Kidney and urinary tract disease. In: Kumar P, Clark M, eds. Kumar and Clarke's Clinical Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 20.

T Review Date 8/26/2017
P Updated by: Jennifer Sobol, DO, urologist with the Michigan Institute of Urology, West Bloomfield, MI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

T Related MedlinePlus Health Topics
- Prostate Diseases

