Orchitis is inflammation of one or both testicles caused by the mumps virus or a bacterial infection. Symptoms include pain, swelling, nausea, and unusual discharge. Treatment involves antibiotics and home remedies, and symptoms usually disappear within three weeks. Epididymo-orchitis is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the epididymis, and symptoms are similar to orchitis. Men who have not been vaccinated against mumps are most susceptible to developing orchitis. Doctors can diagnose and treat orchitis with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, and patients should rest and apply cold compresses to the affected area.
Orchitis is a medical condition in which one or both testicles of a human male become inflamed and tender. It can be caused by the mumps virus or a bacterial infection of the reproductive system or urinary tract. Most people with this condition experience a range of symptoms, including pain and swelling in the testicles, nausea, and unusual discharge from the penis. Treatment options usually take the form of home remedies and prescribed antibiotics, which are readily available and can be suggested by doctors. Most cases of orchitis are relieved in one to three weeks when proper treatment is given.
A bacterial infection known as epididymo-orchitis occurs when the epididymis becomes irritated and inflamed. The epididymis is the small tube that carries sperm from a testicle to the vas deferens during ejaculation. Many types of infections can lead to inflammation of the epididymis, including bladder problems, urinary tract infections, and STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea. Viral orchitis is very common in males who contract the mumps, and symptoms usually begin to appear within a few days of exposure to the virus. Men who have gone through puberty and have not been vaccinated are the most susceptible to developing mumps and related symptoms of orchitis.
The most common symptoms associated with both viral orchitis and epididymis are pain and tenderness in the groin, swelling of the testicles, difficulty urinating, foamy or discolored discharge from the penis, bloody ejaculate, and nausea. The condition often leads to excessive swelling of the lymph nodes located in the groin, causing further discomfort and often making it difficult to walk or stand. The pain associated with the condition is usually mild, but some males experience sharp, debilitating pain impulses that can travel from the testicles through the groin and legs. Without immediate treatment, men are prone to testicular atrophy and possible infertility.
An individual who believes they have mumps or is experiencing signs of orchitis should see their primary care physician to make a proper diagnosis and develop the correct treatment plan. Doctors can perform physical exams and use ultrasounds to check for testicular problems. When viral or bacterial orchitis is determined to be the cause of a patient’s symptoms, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs. Doctors often recommend that patients apply cold compresses to the testicles, keep them elevated when possible, and get plenty of rest. Symptoms usually begin to ease after a few days of treatment and usually disappear completely after about three weeks.
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