Prostatitis is an infection or inflammation of the prostate gland. The prostate is a walnut sized gland located below the bladder in males. The urethra runs through the middle of the prostate gland. The prostate produces fluid that nourishes the sperm.

Acute bacterial prostatitis has a rapid onset and local symptoms such as voiding difficulty, pelvic pain, and low back pain. Some patients may experience systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, and fatigue. Occasionally sepsis can occur. This requires treatment with antibiotics.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis has a slower onset and the symptoms can wax and wane. Systemic symptoms are not usually associated with this chronic condition. Local symptoms such as pelvic pain, low back pain, testicular pain, and upper leg pain can occur. This also requires treatment with antibiotics.

There is another chronic condition of the prostate called nonbacterial prostatitis. The symptoms can be similar to the chronic bacterial prostatitis. Urine cultures are typically not positive. It is speculated that urine metabolites such as urate can reflux into the prostate gland causing a chemical irritation of the prostate.