Orchitis

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Orchitis
Ultrasonography of orchitis
Synonyms
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Testicular pain, swelling, fever
Complications	Infertility, testicular atrophy
Onset
Duration
Types
Causes	Bacterial infection, viral infection (e.g., mumps)
Risks
Diagnosis	Physical examination, ultrasound, urinalysis
Differential diagnosis	Testicular torsion, epididymitis
Prevention	Vaccination (e.g., MMR vaccine), safe sexual practices
Treatment	Antibiotics, pain management, supportive care
Medication
Prognosis	Generally good with treatment
Frequency
Deaths

Inflammation of the testes

Orchitis is an inflammation of one or both testes, often caused by infection. It can result in pain, swelling, and a feeling of heaviness in the affected testicle. Orchitis can occur in conjunction with epididymitis, which is inflammation of the epididymis, and this condition is known as epididymo-orchitis.

Causes

Orchitis is most commonly caused by bacterial or viral infections. The most frequent bacterial cause is the spread of a urinary tract infection or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. Viral orchitis is often associated with the mumps virus, particularly in post-pubertal males.

Symptoms

The symptoms of orchitis can include:

• Swelling in one or both testicles
• Pain ranging from mild to severe
• Tenderness in the affected area
• Fever
• Nausea
• General feeling of being unwell

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of orchitis typically involves a physical examination and a review of symptoms. Ultrasonography is a key diagnostic tool used to assess the condition of the testes and to rule out other conditions such as testicular torsion. Blood tests and urine tests may also be conducted to identify the presence of infection.

Treatment

Treatment for orchitis depends on the underlying cause. Bacterial orchitis is treated with antibiotics, while viral orchitis may require supportive care, such as pain relief and rest. In some cases, hospitalization may be necessary if the condition is severe.

Complications

If left untreated, orchitis can lead to complications such as:

• Testicular atrophy, where the affected testicle shrinks
• Infertility, particularly if both testicles are affected
• Chronic pain

Prevention

Preventive measures for orchitis include practicing safe sex to reduce the risk of STIs and ensuring vaccination against mumps. Regular medical check-ups can also help in early detection and treatment of infections that could lead to orchitis.

See Also

• Epididymitis
• Testicular torsion
• Mumps
• Sexually transmitted infection