SAM, a gentleman in his mid-20s, appeared at the emergency room with chief complaints of pain during urinating, fever, chills, body weakness and a dull aching pain in the perineum region.
After an initial assessment of the attending physician, a series of diagnostic tests such as urinalysis to check for the bacterial count and the presence of pus in the urine; complete blood count to confirm infection through an increased in white blood cell and lymphocyte count; ultrasound of the kidney, ureters, bladder with prostate to check for inflammation and enlargement; and the Prostate specific antigen (PSA) level to see in there is injury or damage to the prostate brought about by an infection or inflammation, were ordered.
Simply put, these medical tests are helpful in the diagnosis of the patient’s condition by the physician.
While waiting for the results, Sam was confined at the hospital on recommendation of the physician.
Medications, particularly antibiotics, analgesics and stool softeners were prescribed and administered to relieve the said discomforts and manifestations.
After 24 hours of hospital confinement, the doctor made his rounds at Sam’s bedside and with him were the results of the tests supporting his findings of Sam’s case.
The doctor found that Sam has “Protatitis secondary to urinary tract infection.”
This condition is actually an acute inflammation of the prostate gland caused by bacteria.
Also at this period, Sam experienced urethral discharges, adding further to his anxiety.
According to literatures, the most common cause of bacterial prostatitis is an organism called “Escherichia coli” or E. coli, which is commonly found in human feces.
One may begin to wonder how a microorganism such as an E. coli can ever gain access to the prostate gland which hidden below the neck of the urinary bladder.
One plausible explanation is that of a penile-anal route of sexual penetration. This theory implies that the urethral opening has served as the portal of entry of the E. coli after sexual contact of the said unconventional route.
An “ascending infection,” this phenomenon is sometimes called.
Although Sam chose to keep his sexual practices discreet and rather chose to dismiss inquiries during health history taking, his condition speaks for itself.
Sociologically speaking, it can be that Sam is avoiding possible social sanctions specifically, being stereotyped as homosexual as this penile-anal route is a common but not isolated sexual practice among homosexuals.
Nevertheless, Sam was given health teachings in terms of safe sex practices like the correct use of condoms and other protective measures.
He was also counselled for HIV and other STD-related testing which are given free of charge at the city social hygiene clinic.
Furthermore, urinary tract infections (UTI) although are fairly common among women especially to those with poor hygienic practices because of their anatomy, UTI among men is a different story.
Generally, UTI among men is considered complicated because in the long run, especially if the infection is chronic or recurrent, may actually damage make sexual structures that can potentially lead to infertility.
This explains why a UTI or the so-called “tulo” in the vernacular is a medical emergency that must not be ignored or neglected. More so if UTI leads to prostatitis.
After a week of hospital confinement and aggressive antibiotic treatment, Sam was discharged in improved condition.
The month of June is also known as the Prostate Health Consciousness Month.
[Email: polo.journalist@gmail.com]