QUESTION: I'm not sure the word is correct, but I have a personal interest in the condition.
What's an orchitis?
ANSWER: It is a relatively uncommon infection of one or both testes.
Orchitis is usually seen in adults and frequently it is one of the more painful aspects of a mumps infection.
Twenty to thirty percent of mumps patients get orchitis of one testes about a week after they have contracted the mumps virus. However, syphilis and even tuberculosis can bring on this condition.
A person who suffers from orchitis initially has a sudden high fever followed by extreme pain in the testicular area, and soon is nauseous and vomiting.
The scrotal area becomes bright red and filled with an abnormal amount of fluid. The infected testis is hard to the touch, swollen and terribly tender. (Patients with this condition are notoriously "testy." Do you think this is where the adjective comes from?) Bed rest is recommended along with some cold packs and perhaps painkillers.
It is best to support the scrotum by elevating it to relieve pressure upon the testicles.
Antibiotics can be used if bacteria are identified as the cause of the infection.
In severe cases, a cortisone drug is prescribed to relieve pain, or surgery is performed to reduce testicular pressure.
Half of all orchitis victims, whose condition stems from mumps, lose the function of the infected testicle.
Sterility, however, is rare in spite of this loss.
It is obvious that this is a serious condition, and a personal interest demands a personal consultation with your own family physician, to determine the implications for you personally.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
