The epididymides are two comma-shaped structures attached to the testicles that help store, mature and carry sperm out of the testicles, explains the text "Medical-Surgical Nursing." These tubes carry sperm to the vas deferens, longer tubes that transport the sperm to the ejaculatory ducts in preparation for ejaculation. Acute epididymitis is an inflammation of the epididymitis that has lasted for fewer than six weeks, explains the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Acute epididymitis can occur at any age. Symptoms of acute epididymis inflammation must be evaluated and treated by a medical professional.
Symptoms
Symptoms of acute epididymitis include pain and tenderness in the testicle or groin area. This pain may be severe during ejaculation. The sufferer may have a fever with intermittent chills and may notice pus in his urine, blood in his semen or an unusual discharge from his urethra, the opening at the penis.
Epididymitis Origin
Treatment for epididymitis is dependent on its origin. It may develop from a sexually-transmitted bacteria, such as N. gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis. Other potential causes include E. coli that has enter the urethra during anal intercourse or an untreated or poorly treated urinary tract bacterial infection that has spread to an epididymis. Occasionally, epididymitis is discovered to be due to a fungus or a tuberculosis infection. Medical causes of this condition include catheter use, prostate surgery or the placement of a scope into the bladder as part of an examination of the urinary tract. The inflammation may also be non-infectious, instead resulting from a medication side effect, urine that reaches the epididymis or a testicular tumor.
Medications
Treatment of acute epididymitis includes medication. Antibiotics such as ceftriaxone and doxycycline are used to treat epididymitits due to gonorrhea and chlamydia, relates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other antibiotics or similar medications are used to eradicate other offending organisms. The sexual partner will require treatment if epididymitis is caused by a sexually-transmitted infection. Anti-inflammatory drugs and pain medications may be needed until the pain and swelling subside.
Non-Medicine Treatments
An acute epididymitis sufferer is often instructed to rest in bed for one or two days, and he may be instructed to keep his scrotum elevated on a towel, explains the Mayo Clinic. A warm sitz bath several times each day may be prescribed, depending on the origin of the inflammation. Other types of epididymitis benefit from the intermittent application of a cold pack. If an abscess is present, it may have to be drained. Rarely, the epididymis or testicle has to be surgically removed. The sufferer is often instructed to avoid sex and straining the groin area until the inflammation has healed.
Complications
Untreated or poorly treated acute epididymitis can turn into a chronic condition with continued swelling of the area. An abcess filled with pus may form. Rarely, the testicle tissue may shrink or it may die due to poor blood supply. Impaired fertility is a rare complication, explains the Mayo Clinic.
References
- "Medical-Surgical Nursing"; Donna Ignatavicius, M.S., R.N. and Linda Workman, Ph.D., R.N.; 2002
- MedlinePlus: Epididymitis
- MayoClinic.com: Epididymitis
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Epididymitis
