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Prostate Infections (cont.)

Medical Treatment

  • Acute bacterial prostatitis
    • Antibiotics: You likely will be given trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra) or fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin) for 4-6 weeks.

      • If you have a high fever or symptoms of a severe bacterial infection, you may be hospitalized.

      • At the hospital, you may be given cephalosporins or ampicillin plus an aminoglycoside (gentamicin, amikacin).

      • Sometimes you may need a catheter (a small tube inserted through your urethra) for severe obstructions.

  • Chronic bacterial prostatitis
    • The effectiveness of antibiotics is limited because most antibiotics cannot penetrate the prostate tissue when it is not inflamed.

      • You likely will receive sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim DS, Septra DS) first. Other effective antibiotics include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), norfloxacin (Noroxin), or ofloxacin (Floxin).

      • Many men have a relapse, however, after they stop taking antibiotics. These men may need a longer course of antibiotics.
    • If you have a relapse or a resistant disease, your doctor may continue your antibiotics with prostatic massage or drainage (2 or 3 times per week).

      • The involved ducts and glands may be blocked, creating tiny pockets almost like abscesses.

      • It is believed that prostate massage unblocks these ducts, allowing them to drain more normally, thus permitting better penetration of antibiotics.
    • You rarely need surgery, which may be considered if medication has not worked.



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Prostatis, Bacterial »

Chronic bacterial prostatitis represents an infection of the prostate gland.

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