section name header

Information ⬇

Acute epididymitis—almost always unilateral—produces pain, swelling, and tenderness of the epididymis, with or without symptoms or signs of urethritis. Epididymitis must be differentiated from testicular torsion, tumor, and trauma. If symptoms persist after treatment, a testicular tumor or a chronic granulomatous disease (e.g., tuberculosis) should be considered.

Treatment: Epididymitis

  • Ceftriaxone (250 mg IM once) followed by doxycycline (100 mg PO bid for 10 days) is effective for epididymitis due to C. trachomatis or N. gonorrhoeae.
  • Oral cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones are no longer recommended because of increasing resistance in N. gonorrhoeae.
  • If Enterobacteriaceae are suspected as the cause and such organisms are detected in a urine culture, levofloxacin (500 mg PO daily for 10 days) can be used.

Outline ⬆

Section 7. Infectious Diseases