Patient's question:
I recently experienced pain and itching in my testicles. When I went to the hospital for a check-up, I was diagnosed with orchitis. What are the causes of orchitis?Doctor's answer:
Orchitis is usually caused by bacteria and viruses. The testicles rarely suffer 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, so it is also known as epididymo-orchitis. It often presents with systemic symptoms such as high fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. Locally, it causes testicular pain, along with referred pain in the scrotum, groin, and inguinal region, sometimes severe and radiating to the groin. The scrotal skin becomes red and swollen, and the testicles are significantly swollen and tender to touch.