What are the symptoms of orchitis patients?

Patients with orchitis usually experience symptoms such as scrotal pain, swelling, and fever, which may be accompanied by urinary system manifestations such as frequent urination, urgency, and dysuria. Orchitis is mainly caused by factors such as bacterial infection, viral infection, trauma, and retrograde spread of urinary tract infection. It needs to be diagnosed clearly through blood routine, urine routine, and ultrasound examination.

1. Scrotal pain

The most common symptom of patients with orchitis is persistent distending or tingling pain in one or both sides of the scrotum, which may radiate to the groin or lower abdomen. Acute bacterial orchitis causes severe pain and is often accompanied by redness of the scrotal skin. Chronic orchitis is mostly a dull pain that worsens after sitting for a long time or being tired. The pain may be related to congestion of the testicular parenchyma and stimulation of nerves by inflammatory mediators.

2. Scrotal swelling

Inflammation causes congestion and edema in the testicles and epididymis. Palpation can reveal that the testicles are enlarged and hardened. In severe cases, the scrotal skin is tight and shiny. Mumps orchitis usually results in obvious testicular enlargement after swelling of the parotid gland. The degree of swelling is related to the severity of inflammation and may affect testicular spermatogenesis.

3. Local fever

The skin temperature of the affected side of the scrotum increases and feels burning when touched, and the body temperature may rise to 38-39°C. Fever is more pronounced in bacterial orchitis and may be accompanied by chills. Fever is related to the release of pathogenic toxins and the effects of inflammatory cytokines, and needs to be distinguished from systemic infectious diseases.

4. Urinary system symptoms

Some patients experience bladder irritation symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and burning pain during urination, especially orchitis secondary to urinary tract infection. Routine urine examination shows an increase in white blood cells, and in severe cases, pyuria occurs. These symptoms suggest that there may be primary infections such as urethritis and prostatitis.

5. General discomfort

Systemic reactions such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and muscle soreness may occur in the acute phase. Pediatric patients are more likely to suffer from febrile seizures. Chronic orchitis may only manifest as long-term low-grade fever and fatigue. The severity of systemic symptoms is related to the virulence of the infectious pathogen and the body's immune status.

Patients with orchitis should rest in bed, use a towel to hold up the scrotum to reduce the feeling of swelling, and avoid strenuous exercise. Eat a light diet and drink plenty of water to promote metabolism. Avoid sexual intercourse until the inflammation subsides, and wear loose cotton underwear to reduce friction. If persistent high fever, severe pain or purulent discharge occurs, seek medical attention immediately to avoid delayed treatment that may lead to testicular atrophy or infertility.