Epididymitis And Orchitis

Prevention

To help reduce your risk of epididymitis caused by STDs, follow these guidelines for safer sex:

• Don't have sex.

• Have sex with only one, uninfected partner.

• Use latex or polyurethane condoms during every sexual activity, including oral and anal sex.

Treatment

Antibiotics treat epididymitis caused by infection:

• Epididymitis caused by STDs - A variety of antibiotics work against chlamydia and gonorrhea, the most common causes of epididymitis related to STDs. To prevent the spread of these diseases, all your sex partners must receive antibiotics as well.

• Epididymitis caused by intestinal bacteria - A variety of antibiotics work against this type of infection.

A young boy with epididymitis probably will be referred to a urologist (a doctor who specializes in illnesses of the urinary tract and male reproductive organs) to check for urinary tract problems.

If you are being treated for epididymitis, your doctor may suggest that you try the following measures to relieve discomfort and help healing:

• Rest in bed for a day or two.

• Elevate your scrotum with a towel.

• Apply ice packs to the painful area.

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.

• Take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and others) or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn and others), to relieve pain and inflammation.

People with severe pain in the scrotum may need a stronger pain medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) with codeine. If this is not effective, the doctor may inject anesthetic medication directly into the painful area.