Acute Epididymitis
Alternate Names : Epididymitis, Epididymo-Orchitis
What are the treatments for the disease?
Epididymitis is generally treated with 4 to 6 weeks of oral antibiotics. Hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics may be needed for severe infections. It is important to treat an affected person's sexual partners after a sexually transmitted disease. This prevents a repeat infection.
If examination and x-ray tests cannot rule out testicular torsion, surgery may be necessary. Untreated testicular torsion may lead to destruction of the affected testicle.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Medications used to treat this problem may cause:
allergic reaction
stomach upset
skin sensitivity to sunlight
If surgery is required, there is a risk of bleeding and infection, as with all surgeries.
What happens after treatment for the disease?
A person may have a relapse if the course of medication is not long enough. In these cases, 6 weeks of medication may be needed. Sometimes, persons will need another 8 to 12 weeks of antibiotics after that.
How is the disease monitored?
Even if treated adequately, epididymitis can recur. Surgery to remove the epididymitis or the testicle may be needed if:
an episode does not respond to antibiotics
an abscess or pocket of pus develops
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