Patient's question:
I recently had pain and itching in my testicles. When I went to the hospital for a check-up, I was diagnosed with orchitis. What causes orchitis?Doctor's answer:
Orchitis is usually caused by bacteria and viruses. The testicles rarely experience bacterial infections due to their rich blood and lymphatic supply, which provides strong resistance to bacterial infections. Most bacterial orchitis is caused by inflammation of the adjacent epididymis, hence it is also known as epididymo-orchitis. It often presents with systemic symptoms such as high fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. Locally, it manifests as testicular pain, along with referred pain in the scrotum, groin, and inguinal region. Sometimes the pain is severe and radiates to the groin. The scrotal skin may become red and swollen, and the testicles are noticeably enlarged and tender to touch.