Orchitis is the inflammation of one or both testicles. Some men experience epididymitis (swelling of the epididymis) together with orchitis. Orchitis can be caused by either a virus or bacteria. Treatment will depend on the cause of your infection, and will focus on alleviating your discomfort and eliminating the source infection.

Bacterial Orchitis

Bacterial orchitis often affects only one testicle, and is generally caused by the STD (sexually transmitted diseases) bacterium gonorrhea, Chlamydia, or by the E. coli bacteria. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to eliminate the infection, and you can expect relief within 10 days after beginning your course of treatment.

While the infection clears, your doctor may recommend bed rest, elevating the scrotum with a small towel, over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medications, and hot or cold packs for 10-15 minutes a day according to your comfort level.

Practice safe sex as a means to avoid contracting bacterial orchitis.

Viral Orhitis

Viral orchitis is most often caused by the mumps virus, and is usually seen in boys under 10 years old. Less commonly, orchitis can be caused by varicella, echovirus, infectious mononucleosis, or coxsackie virus. Viral orchitis usually affects both testicles, and cannot be treated with antibiotics. If you have contracted viral orchitis your doctor will provide suggestions which are similar to those recommended for bacterial orchitis to alleviate your discomfort: bed rest, scrotum elevation, avoiding strenuous work, OTC anti-inflammatories, hot and cold packs, and time.

If you take care not to over tax your body, the symptoms of viral orchitis generally abate within 10 days. The most effective way to avoid viral orchitis is to be sure you are immunized for mumps.

Severe cases of orchitis may result in testicle shrinkage (seen in viral orchitis, chronic epididymitis (seen with bacterial orchitis), scrotal abscess (pus in the scrotal tissue), and infertility.

Talk to your doctor about treating your orchitis infection to alleviate your discomfort and prevent more serious side effects.