What is Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis?

Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis, also referred to as CBP, is caused by a bacterial infection. The same bacteria that causes bladder infections causes CBP. This includes E. coli, Klebsiella...

Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis, also referred to as CBP, is caused by a bacterial infection. The same bacteria that causes bladder infections causes CBP. This includes E. coli, Klebsiella and Proteus.

The bacteria can be acquired as a sexually transmitted disease and the infection can spread to the prostate.  It can affect the prostate through the blood stream.

Patients who are diagnosed with CBP typically show signs of infection

Signs of infection may include:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • The shakes

Patients also typically experience difficulties with frequent urination as well as painful urination.  Chronic bacterial Prostatitis is not very common.  It’s when the patient experiences an ongoing bacterial infection in the prostate.

It causes a low-grade infection, however, there are typically no noticeable symptoms.

Sometimes people suffer from chronic Prostatitis, but without the infection.  This is also known as chronic pelvic syndrome and is a condition in which there is recurrent pelvic, testicle or rectal pain, but without evidence of a bladder infection.  Men may experience painful urination or painful ejaculation and may have erectile dysfunction.  Causes for these ailments are not clearly understood by experts as of now.

With CBP, there are typically no symptoms, however, there is an infection within the prostate.  Typically speaking, CBP is not a very common condition.  It occurs in less than 5 % of all patients.  Patients may experience symptoms similar to a UTI.  The infection itself is usually diagnosed with a routine urinary culture as well as a routine rectal examination.

During the routine rectal examination, the prostate is massaged and fluid is removed.  If no fluid is removed during the massage, a post massage urine will be obtained and should contain prostatic bacteria.

Treatment typically takes approximately four to eight weeks and the patient is given antibiotics.  The antibiotics penetrate the prostate.  For patients who experience persistent infections may be prescribed alpha blockers or long-term dose antibiotic therapy.

The chance for relapse can be as high as 50 %.  The likeliness of getting a CBP infection are not very high, but if you think you present with some of the symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor to verify that you do indeed suffer from CBP and to discuss treatment options.

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