Free Module 3 · Urinary tract infections

Prostatitis

Author and medical review: Dr. Leonardo Romeo, urologist (physician) · Last updated:

1

Introduction

Definition Inflammation/infection of the prostate; the most relevant condition for the student is acute bacterial prostatitis.
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Video lesson

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Video pending upload (embedded YouTube)
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Summary

Acute bacterial prostatitis

Presentation:

  • Fever.
  • Perineal pain.
  • Urinary symptoms (dysuria, frequency, urgency).
  • May be associated with urinary retention.
  • Impaired general condition.

Digital rectal exam

The prostate is usually tender, enlarged, and edematous.

⚠️ Very important

Do not perform prostatic massage when acute bacterial prostatitis is suspected, as it may promote bacteremia.

Studies

  • Urinalysis.
  • Urine culture with antibiogram.
  • Complete blood count and acute-phase reactants depending on severity.
  • Blood cultures if there are signs of sepsis.

Order a PSA?

Its use as a diagnostic test during acute prostatitis is not recommended, since it rises transiently because of the inflammation itself.

Complications

  • Sepsis.
  • Urinary retention.
  • Prostatic abscess.

If the course is poor, the presence of an abscess should be considered.

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PDF

⬇ Download module guide (PDF)

Urinary tract infections — Guide for Medicine: uncomplicated and complicated UTI, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, epididymitis/orchitis, urethritis and STIs, urine culture interpretation, and rational antibiotic use (all 8 topics of the module in a single document).

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Practical algorithm

Content pending upload The general algorithm for the whole module (patient with urinary symptoms → localized vs. systemic UTI → management) is developed in the lesson "Rational antibiotic use" (block 5).
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Clinical case

Content pending upload Progressive presentation of the case — the student makes decisions as it unfolds.
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Self-assessment

Questions pending upload 5–10 multiple-choice questions on this lesson.
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References

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