A prostate infection can have several different causes, but in many cases, the cause is unidentifiable. Most cases of acute bacterial prostatitis are caused by common strains of bacteria when bacteria in urine leak into the prostate. While antibiotics are used to treat the infection, if they do not eliminate the bacteria, prostatitis might recur and develop into chronic bacterial prostatitis. Prostatitis not caused by a bacterial infection is often attributed to nerve damage in the lower urinary tract, which can be caused by surgery or trauma to the area. Furthermore, some cases of prostatitis can be caused by external, environmental, and psychological factors, including high levels of stress, operating heavy machinery, or other activities that expose the prostate to strong vibrations.