Orchitis

Definition:

An inflammation of one or both of the testicles. Orchitis is considered a sexually-transmitted disease when the organisms that cause gonorrhea or chlamydia are involved.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Orchitis may be caused by numerous bacterial and viral organisms. The most common viral cause is mumps. 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)

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