In medicine, an infection is understood as the infection of an organ or tissue by various microorganisms, as well as by parasites and certain insects. Therefore, infectious prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
The first group of microorganisms more often becomes the culprit. Consider what causes can cause prostate infection, how the disease will manifest itself, and how it can be treated in men.
Causes of infectious prostatitis
A healthy man has a defense mechanism against various foreign organisms - the immune system. If this mechanism fails or conditions are created in which infections are stronger than immunity, the prostate tissue becomes infected, which leads to an inflammatory process and unpleasant symptoms.
Infectious prostatitis can be caused by:
- Sex with an infected partner. Even if a woman does not have visible symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases, but there is a pathogen, a man can be infected. As a rule, urethritis begins first, then a urinary tract infection enters the prostate and causes prostatitis there.
- The focus of infection existing in the body. The pathogen can be introduced into the prostate with the blood flow of other organs in cases of pneumonia, influenza, caries and other diseases.
- Lifestyle features. Alcohol, nicotine, lack of physical activity weakens the immune system, as a result, bacteria that constantly inhabit the skin and mucous membranes of a person become the culprits of the disease.
- Injuries. When playing sports, fighting or having an accident, a mechanical effect on the perineum may be exerted, which leads to damage to the tissues of the prostate and can cause an infectious form of the disease.
- Hypothermia. Due to the low ambient temperature and subsequent freezing, the immune system may not be able to cope with the bacteria that have entered the body.
Infection of the prostate is possible with certain medical procedures and operations. For example, prostatitis can be triggered by catheterization, which was carried out in violation of all rules and regulations. In this case, urethritis develops first and only then, as a complication, prostatitis. In addition, the disease can be a complication of the biopsy.
Sexually transmitted infections are the most dangerous for men's health.
Symptoms of the infectious form
Infectious prostatitis always has an acute course, the symptoms appear unexpectedly for the patient, quickly intensify and cause serious concern. It is impossible to ignore the signs of this disease.
Men consult doctors with the following complaints:
- Sharp and often throbbing pain between the anus and the eggs. May "give" to genitals, lower back or abdomen.
- Increase in body temperature up to 38-39 degrees, fever, chills. The temperature in the rectum can be increased, and in the armpits it can be kept within the normal range.
- Frequent urination and the urge to urinate, especially at night.
- Pain when urinating, intermittent urine stream, burning in the urethra.
- Weakness, nausea, loss of appetite, muscle or joint pain.
- Stool disorder - constipation develops or pain occurs during the act of defecation.
- Decreased libido, slow erection, painful ejaculation.
If a man is in no rush to go to the doctor and suffers from pain or tries to seek treatment on his own with antibiotics and folk remedies, the pain and urinary disorders may go away after a while. The illusion of recovery arises. In fact, the infection did not go away, and the acute form of prostatitis became chronic. This means that from time to time a man will have exacerbations, and there is also a risk of developing infertility.
Infectious prostatitis can lead to blood poisoning and death of the patient, so there is no time to waste trying to cope with the pathology on your own.
Modern diagnostic methods
The clinical picture is so pronounced that the doctor can make the correct diagnosis based on the symptoms listed above. In addition to typical complaints, the anamnesis received at the reception is also taken into account - therefore it is important to contact a medical institution in a timely manner.
To select the right treatment tactics, it is important to understand more precisely what is happening in the body and what pathogen is causing the pathology. Therefore, there are a number of exams required for this case.
During the appointment, the doctor will perform the following activities:
- It will measure the body temperature in the anus and in the armpit (with acute infectious prostatitis there will be a difference in reading up to 0. 5 ° C).
- Check the condition of the lymph nodes in the pelvic area.
- Palpate the lower abdomen, perineum, lower back.
Massage of the prostate with this form of the disease is not performed due to pronounced pain. In addition, such manipulation can cause the transmission of infection from the gland to other organs and systems, with subsequent probable death. Even the suspicion of infectious prostatitis is a contraindication to such procedures.
Laboratory tests on blood, urine and bacterial cultures are important. With their help, you can determine the type of pathogen and confirm the inflammation.
From instrumental methods, TRUS, CT, MRI, urine flow measurement (to determine the rate of urine flow) and other methods can be used, at the discretion of the attending physician. Most often, a transrectal ultrasound in combination with laboratory methods and anamnesis data is sufficient. A CT or MRI is done if a tumor is suspected or in doubtful cases.
Modern principles of treatment
If there are no pronounced signs of intoxication of the body, treatment is allowed at home. Otherwise, hospitalization, intravenous infusions of antibacterial agents and increased monitoring by medical personnel will be required. Either way, a sick man needs bed rest - even light physical activity can cause the infection to spread through the body through the bloodstream.
The treatment of patients is aimed at achieving two objectives: to fight against pathogenic microflora and to improve general well-being. Overall, movement in this direction is designed to prevent death or the development of complications.
Fight infections
If during laboratory tests it is established that infectious prostatitis is caused by bacteria (which happens most often), the use of antibacterial agents should become the basis of treatment. If such treatment is started, an improvement in well-being will occur after 2-3 days. However, for this the drug must be selected correctly. Also important is the duration of taking the drug - it can be up to a month, depending on the specific drug and the degree of damage to the prostate. Treatment cannot be interrupted.
In addition to the type of pathogen, the doctor should take into account other factors.
- Individual characteristics of the patient, condition of the heart, liver and kidneys.
- If possible, choose a stronger drug that overshadows these bacteriostatic agents.
- The effect of treatment with antibacterial drugs should be bactericidal, that is, aimed at destroying the pathogen, and not at stopping its development in the tissues of the prostate.
It is for these reasons that infectious prostatitis cannot be treated on its own. Without medical training and skills to interpret diagnostic measurements, it is almost impossible to choose the right antibacterial substance. Delay, like mistreatment in this case, can cost your life.
Symptomatic treatment
The intensity of pain in infectious prostatitis is such that standard analgesics and antispasmodics may be unnecessary. In such exceptional cases, for pain relief, the doctor may prescribe narcotic drugs for the short term.
Can also be affected:
- Diuretics (if there is no acute urinary retention) for the prevention of cystitis.
- Laxatives (for constipation) to relieve pressure on the prostate.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Alpha-blockers - to normalize the process of urination.
- Muscle relaxants to relieve spasm of the pelvic floor muscles.
If acute urinary retention has started during infectious prostatitis, a urinary catheter may be placed in the patient.
If during the course of treatment it becomes evident that the patient's well-being is not improving, this is a reason to perform an additional TRUS to rule out a possible prostate abscess. In doubtful cases, a prostate tissue biopsy may also be done. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient undergoes emergency surgery to open and drain the abscess. Antibiotic therapy will not be canceled in this case.
Danger of infectious prostatitis
If a man visited a doctor in a timely manner and did not violate his prescriptions, recovery almost always occurs. In some variants of the development of events, a transition to a chronic form or the occurrence of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is possible.
Other likely consequences:
- pyelonephritis or cystitis;
- blood poisoning;
- fistula formation.
Infectious prostatitis responds well to treatment if it is started on time. For this, a man must listen to his state of health. If the pain begins in the perineal region with a simultaneous increase in body temperature in the anus and impaired urination, you should immediately consult a doctor. Using folk remedies and following the advice of a friend or wife can end in disaster.