Diagnosing acute bacterial prostatitis in primary care

Acute bacterial prostatitis is a condition affecting males and is defined as a severe, potentially life-threatening bacterial infection of the prostate.¹

Although a rare condition, if left untreated, or treated inappropriately, there is a risk of complications, some of which are potentially serious, and can result in significant morbidity, potentially impacting on the quality of life of those affected.

Prostatitis has several forms with variable features and degrees of severity, making the condition challenging for clinicians when faced with patients presenting with symptoms of this problem.

This article will focus on acute bacterial prostatitis, looking at causes, treatment, and complications with the aim of helping nurses and non-medical prescribers feel more confident when assessing and diagnosing this unpleasant condition.