Disorders Cure
oi-Shivangi Karn
on July 15, 2020
Orchitis is a common condition characterised by inflammation of one or both testicles. Men between the age of 15 to 29 are more prone to the condition. Testes or testicles are male reproductive organs that help in the making of testosterone (a main male sex hormone) and production of sperm.
Orchitis can be symptomatic and acute or asymptomatic and chronic. The condition is often accompanied by an infection of the epididymis, a coiled and long tube that stores sperm and carries them from the testicles. Take a look at the details.
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Causes Of Orchitis
The main cause of orchitis is bacterial or viral infections. This include:
- Mumps and rubella virus, the most common virus that causes orchitis. [1]
- Bacteria such as Staphylococcus, E.coli and K. pneumoniae.
- Bacteria such as N. gonorrhoeae (gonorrhoea), C. trachomatis (chlamydia) and T. pallidum (syphilis) which are responsible for causing sexually transmitted diseases (STD).
- Bacteria which are responsible for causing tuberculosis and UTIs.
- Viruses such as echovirus (cause paralysis and meningitis) and varicella (chickenpox).
- Fungi such as Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, especially in people with a weaker immune system.
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Symptoms Of Orchitis
The symptoms of orchitis usually begin between 3-7 days after getting infected.
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Complications Of Orchitis
Untreated orchitis can cause conditions such as:
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- Infertility or low testosterone production (especially if both the testes are affected) [6]
- Testicular atrophy, shrinking of the testicles.
- Blisters in the scrotum.
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How To Treat Orchitis
- Medications: Antiviral/antibacterial/antifungal depending on the type of infection. [8]
- OTC medications: To reduce swelling, pain and fever.
- Surgery: It includes orchiectomy (removal of the infected testicle) and epididymectomy (removal of the epididymis). This option is suggested by the medical expert only when medications or other treatment methods won’t work.
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How To Prevent Orchitis
Congenital urinary tract problems cannot be prevented. The best way to prevent orchitis is by getting vaccinated against mumps and practising safe sex habits.
Common FAQs Orchitis
1. How long does orchitis take to heal?
Viral orchitis usually takes 10 days or two weeks to heal. However, it depends on the severity of the condition and how early the treatment has started.
2. Is orchitis an emergency?
Orchitis is the swelling in one or both testes. If the swelling is mild, it can go away easily by antibiotics or antiviral medications. However, if you notice other symptoms such as vomiting, pain, fever, it is better to consult a medical expert soon for it may cause infertility.
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Story first published: Wednesday, July 15, 2020, 17:15 [IST]
Source: boldsky blog
