NHS Choices Condition
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Acute prostatitis
Acute prostatitis is caused by bacteria that are present in the urinary tract (usually in the urethra) that manage to find their way up into the prostate.
The bacteria that are responsible for acute prostatitis cannot be spread during sexual intercourse, so there is no risk of contaminating your sexual partners.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis
In cases of chronic bacterial prostatitis, it is unclear exactly how bacteria infect the prostate. One theory is that bacteria spread from the urethra, or bowel, and then create what is known as a biofilm on the surface of the prostate.
A biofilm is a small, but highly concentrated, colony of bacteria that is covered by a sticky, protective surface. Another example of a biofilm is the plaque that can sometimes develop on teeth.
Chronic non-bacterial prostatitis
The exact cause of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis is unknown. However, a number of factors have been suggested such as:
- underlying problems with the immune system,
- underlying problems with the nervous system, and
- an infection with a virus or bacteria that has not yet been identified.
Important Notice
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