THE orchitis it is a painful inflammatory process that involves the testicles and sometimes the epididymis, an organ located over each testicle. In most cases, the infection occurs in both organs, which is why we call it orchiepididymitis. When the infection occurs only in the epididymis we call it epididymitis. This inflammation can occur in both humans and animals.
This infection can occur because of: viruses, such as mumps; sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia; bacteria such as Escherichia coli; or scrotal trauma. We can observe two types of orchitis: the acute form and the chronic form.
A patient with acute orchitis experiences fever, local pain radiating to the groin, and swelling of the scrotum with a feeling of heaviness, followed sometimes by peeling skin.
Chronic orchitis may have no symptoms, but the patient may experience some discomfort when handling the testicle.
The urologist should be sought as soon as symptoms appear. If, through urinalysis, scrotal ultrasound, tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia, inflammation is detected, treatment should be started.
Treatment includes general rest, sexual rest, use of special swimwear by the patient, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Failure to treat orchitis can lead to a reduction in the volume of the testicles, infertility, in addition to the possibility of the infection developing into an abscess. There are cases in which it is necessary to remove the testicle.
It is important to remember that the increase in volume in the scrotal sac, sensitivity when handling it, but without symptoms of pain, could be the cause of a tumor; therefore, the urologist must be consulted.
Paula Louredo
Graduated in Biology