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Orchitis    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Testis infection

Definition:

Orchitis is an inflammation of one or both of the testicles. The inflamation is often caused by bacterial infection of the testis.

Causes and Risks

Orchitis may be caused by numerous bacterial and viral organisms. The most common viral cause is mumps. Approximately 15 to 25% of men who have mumps after puberty will develop orchitis during the course of the illness. Brucellosis is a rare disease in which orchitis develops in 2 to 20% of men with the disease.

Orchitis may also occur in conjunction with infections of the prostate or epididymis and, like those conditions, may occur as a manifestation of sexually-transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. The incidence of sexually-transmitted orchitis or epididymitis is higher in men 15 to 25 years old.

Risk factors for non-sexually transmitted orchitis include:

• Inadequate immunization against mumps
• Older age (age greater than 45)
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Abnormalities of the urinary tract

Risk factors for sexually transmitted orchitis include:

• Multiple sexual partners
• Other high risk sexual behaviors.
• History of a sexual partner with a previously diagnosed STD
• Personal history of gonorrhea or other STD

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