Prostatitis comes in several forms. Acute bacterial prostatitis comes on suddenly with fever, chills, severe pain, and difficulty urinating, and is a medical emergency needing prompt antibiotic treatment. Chronic bacterial prostatitis causes recurrent urinary infections and milder ongoing symptoms. The most common type, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, causes persistent pelvic, perineal, or testicular discomfort and urinary or sexual symptoms without a clear infection.
Treatment depends entirely on the type. Bacterial forms need a properly chosen and adequately long course of antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. Non-bacterial chronic prostatitis often needs a combination approach that may include measures for pain, pelvic floor relaxation, and lifestyle changes, since antibiotics alone often do not help.
See a doctor for diagnosis, as the management differs sharply by type. Seek urgent care for high fever, severe pain, or inability to urinate, which point to the acute bacterial form.