How is orchitis contracted
Robert Spencer
Published Apr 02, 2026
Orchitis develops because of a viral or bacterial infection. Most cases of orchitis occur because of urinary tract infections, or a sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis. Having epididymitis can cause orchitis.
How is orchitis transmitted?
Orchitis may be caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. The rate of sexually transmitted orchitis or epididymitis is higher in men ages 19 to 35. Risk factors for sexually transmitted orchitis include: High-risk sexual behaviors.
How common is orchitis?
Epidemiology. Epididymitis is more common than orchitis. 3,4 In one outpatient study, orchitis occurred in 58 percent of men diagnosed with epididymitis. 3 Isolated orchitis is rare and is generally associated with mumps infection in prepubertal boys (13 years or younger).
Where does orchitis come from?
Orchitis (or-KIE-tis) is an inflammation of one or both testicles. Bacterial or viral infections can cause orchitis, or the cause can be unknown. Orchitis is most often the result of a bacterial infection, such as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). In some cases, the mumps virus can cause orchitis.What causes infection in your balls?
Epididymitis is most often caused by a bacterial infection, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. Sometimes, a testicle also becomes inflamed — a condition called epididymo-orchitis.
Can you spread orchitis?
Orchitis causes mild-to-severe testicle pain and swelling. The condition often begins in one testicle. But it can spread to the other testicle or affect the scrotum.
What are the 5 signs of orchitis?
- tenderness in the scrotum.
- painful urination.
- painful ejaculation.
- a swollen scrotum.
- blood in the semen.
- abnormal discharge.
- an enlarged prostate.
- swollen lymph nodes in the groin.
Can orchitis be caused by trauma?
Epididymo-orchitis, caused by direct trauma, is an uncommon condition, and the history and symptoms are quite different from those of the considerably more common so-called indirect epididymo-orchitis that is ascribed to trauma or strains, and which in symptomatology and clinical course is much like acute, nonspecific, …How long does orchitis take to heal?
Most people with viral orchitis start to feel better in three to 10 days, although it can take several weeks for the scrotal tenderness to disappear.
Is orchitis an emergency?This is a medical emergency that requires immediate surgery. A swollen testicle with little or no pain may be a sign of testicular cancer.
Article first time published onWhat bacteria causes orchitis?
Bacterial infections of the prostate and urinary tract infection can cause orchitis. Common causes of bacterial orchitis include Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species.
How does a woman know if she has epididymitis?
Symptoms can include pain, scrotal swelling, painful or frequent urination, and fever or chills. Bacterial epididymitis is treated with antibiotics. Other treatments for epididymitis may include bed rest, ice packs, scrotal support with snug underwear or compression shorts, or pain medicine.
What is the best antibiotic to treat orchitis?
Antibiotics commonly used may include ceftriaxone (Rocephin), doxycycline (Vibramycin, Doryx), azithromycin (Zithromax) or ciprofloxacin (Cipro).
What causes a man's balls to swell up?
Common Causes Infection: The testicle and epididymis, the part of the testicle that stores sperm, can sometimes become infected, causing pain and swelling that starts quickly and gets worse. Fluid Buildup: An injury or infection can cause fluid to build up around the testicle, causing painful swelling.
Does ejaculating hurt epididymitis?
Most urologists will agree that chronic epididymitis can be unilateral or bilateral; can range from mild, intermittent discomfort to severe, constant pain; can be exacerbated by certain activities, including ejaculation; can be associated with a normal-feeling or enlarged indurated epididymis; and appears to wax and …
Can a woman give a man epididymitis?
Can I pass the infection to my sex partner? Yes, if the infection is from an STD. (This is most often the cause in men under 40 who have sex.) In this case, the infection can be passed back and forth through sex.
How do you treat orchitis at home?
- Taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), or acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Elevating your scrotum with snug-fitting briefs or an athletic supporter.
- Using ice packs.
Does orchitis require surgery?
Acute epididymo-orchitis (AEO) is an acute inflammatory disease of the epididymis and ipsilateral testis. Treatment should be started immediately after diagnosis and includes antibiotics, analgesics, and, if necessary, surgery.
How long does it take epididymitis to heal?
You should start to feel better within a few days, but it may take up to 2 weeks to fully recover. It’s important to finish the whole course of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better. There are some things you can do while you recover to help ease pain and swelling and prevent any further problems.
Will swollen testicle go away?
A mild swollen testicle after an injury is common and often goes away after a few days. However, large, or sudden swelling should be immediately treated, as it may point to a more serious underlying condition.
Can a swollen testicle heal on its own?
Idiopathic swelling refers to swelling that a doctor has been unable to identify a reason for. This is more common among children, but it can affect males of any age. This type of swelling may appear suddenly. It is painless and usually goes away on its own within around 3–6 days .
What happens if you pop a testicle?
It can happen if the testicle gets a forceful direct blow or is crushed against the pubic bone, causing blood to leak into the scrotum. Testicular rupture, like testicular torsion and other serious injuries to the testicles, causes extreme pain, swelling in the scrotum, nausea, and vomiting.
How do you know if your balls are dead?
When the testes die, the scrotum will be very tender, red, and swollen. Often the patient won’t be able to get comfortable. Any pain or discomfort in the testes is a sign to get medical help right away.
Can you dislocate a testicle?
Testicular dislocation is a rare clinical presentation that occurs most commonly as a result of blunt scrotal injury. It is immensely important to prevent any delay in diagnosis as this can lead to loss of spermatogenic function of the testis and increased risk of orchiectomy.
How do you prevent Epididymo-orchitis?
When you’re sexually active, the best way to prevent epididymo-orchitis is to use condoms for oral, vaginal, and anal sex. Don’t have any sexual contact if you or your partner(s) have symptoms of an STI, or may have been exposed to an STI. See a doctor or go to an STI Clinic for testing.
What STD makes your testicle pain?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Untreated chlamydia in men, as well as gonorrhea, can contribute to symptoms like testicular pain. But, alhough chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most common STIs associated with testicular pain, other STIs can trigger chronic scrotal pain as well.
Can Hand Foot and Mouth cause orchitis?
Viral orchitis is an uncommon cause of testicular pain and swelling. Coxsackievirus, which causes hand-foot-and-mouth disease, is a type of enterovirus that has been previously documented to be a cause of viral-induced orchitis. Rarely viral orchitis can mimic testicular neoplasms.
Can you get epididymitis without having an STD?
Other infection: Epididymitis can still spread among men who are not sexually active through a nonsexually transmitted bacterial infection. This can happen if a urinary tract infection or prostate infection is present, causing bacteria to spread to the epididymis. Trauma: Certain groin injuries can cause epididymitis.
Can epididymitis be cured naturally?
In a case of non-bacterial epididymitis, then it is best to use natural anti-inflammatory remedies. Boswellia serrata can be used effectively in place of ibuprofen, since the active ingredient – boswellic acid – supports the vascular system and helps to relieve inflammation and help reduce vessel constriction.
How do you get Spermatocele?
Spermatoceles happen when sperm builds up somewhere in the epididymis. Healthcare providers don’t fully understand the factors that lead to this sperm buildup. Some medical experts point to a blockage in the epididymal duct or inflammation as potential causes.
What happens if you leave a dead testicle?
This is an emergency situation — if left untreated, the condition can lead to a permanently damaged or dead testicle which must then be removed. Testicular torsion is most common in teenage and newborn boys but can occur at any age.