Yet, among those who claimed to be either somewhat or very knowledgeable, many respondents answered specific questions about the condition incorrectly. Acute bacterial prostatitis comes on suddenly and can have severe symptoms that may require hospitalization, whereas chronic bacterial prostatitis may have no symptoms other than those of a recurring bladder infection. Bacterial prostatitis can be treated with antibiotics. The causes of nonbacterial prostatitis are unknown, but the inflammation may be related to organisms other than bacteria. Since the cause of infection is nonbacterial, antibiotics are not appropriate for this type of prostatitis.
Most treatments focus on alleviating the symptoms associated with the disorder.
In some instances, men receive no treatment for prostatitis because they are reluctant to seek medical attention. While the examination can cause momentary discomfort, it is usually not painful. The American Urological Association recommends a yearly prostate examination for every man over age 40 and an immediate exam for any man who develops persistent urinary symptoms. Among male survey respondents under age 55, nearly two-thirds don't schedule a regular urological exam. This information is provided for educational purposes only.