Discharge Instructions - Prostatitis

As discussed in the Emergency Department prior to discharge, you have been diagnosed with prostatitis.  Prostatitis is an infection or inflammation of the prostate gland.  The prostate gland is only present in men, where it is involved in making some of the fluid men release during sex.  The prostate gland surrounds the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the penis), which is why prostatitis often causes discomfort with urination.

Prostatitis can be either “acute” or “chronic.”  Acute prostatitis is most commonly caused by bacteria, whereas chronic prostatitis can occur with or without a bacterial infection.  Acute prostatitis can cause fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, painful urination, and cloudy urine.  Chronic prostatitis can cause painful urination, frequent sensation of the need to urinate, feel the need to rush to urinate, or even a low-grade fever.

If you were prescribed antibiotics be sure to complete the full course – do not stop early!  If antibiotics do not resolve your symptoms, you may have chronic prostatitis and you should follow up with your primary care provider.

Return to the Emergency Department for worsening pain, fever (≥38.0 °C or 100.4 °F) after 2 days of antibiotics, inability to pass urine for 6 hours after multiple attempts, or any new or concerning symptoms.