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Warning-sign checks

Prostatitis - nonbacterial: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Get emergency help if you cannot pass urine at all, become confused or faint, or have severe urinary symptoms with signs of serious infection.

    Sudden, severe testicular pain is also an emergency because it may have another time-sensitive cause.

    If ongoing pain is causing severe distress, depression, or thoughts of self-harm, seek urgent mental health support or emergency help.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek prompt medical care if you develop:

    • Fever or chills with pelvic or urinary symptoms
    • New blood in the urine
    • Increasing difficulty passing urine
    • New discharge from the penis or a possible sexually transmitted infection
    • New testicular swelling, a lump, or persistent testicular pain
    • Pain that changes suddenly or becomes much more severe
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine medical assessment for pelvic pain, painful urination, urinary changes, or painful ejaculation that persists or keeps returning.

    These symptoms have several possible causes, and testing is needed before calling them nonbacterial prostatitis.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Prostatitis - nonbacterial. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.