Is there a difference between prostatitis and urethritis?

Yes: Prostatitis affects the prostate gland, a pelvic organ responsible for semen production. Urethritis affects the urethra. Bacteria causing the 2 differ; urethritis is more often a sexually transmitted infection (but not always). Prostatitis is usually caused by the same bugs that cause uti's. Symptoms also differ--prostatitis is usaually a deep pain, urethritis is burning and penile discharge.

Prostatitis : The prostate is a discrete anatomical organ, as distinguished from the urethra. Generally speaking, although simultaneous infections can occur in both, urethritis is more common and potentially less dangerous, and can occur without extension into the prostate unless certain pathogens are involved (gonorrhea, chlamydia, etc.) on an extended basis.

Anatomic.: Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate, usually due to infection. Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra, the outlet to the bladder. The difference it one of anatomic location, but there is overlap in the infectious agents that cause them. E. Coli & proteus; common causes of urinary tract infections, can cause both. Stds such as gonnorrhea & chylamydia are also common causes of urethritis.