RFSymptoms: Safety netting advice
AdultsTesticle infection (epididymo-orchitis)
DATE LAST REVIEWED: 05/11/2026
When to seek further review
- Contact the treating clinician, GP or sexual health clinic if pain or swelling has not started to improve within 3 days of treatment.
- Get urgent advice sooner for worsening pain, fever, vomiting, increasing redness or swelling, or trouble peeing.
- Keep the arranged sexual health and test-result follow-up. If a sexually transmitted infection is possible, avoid sex until the clinic says treatment and any partner treatment are complete.
- Swelling can take several weeks to settle, but a persistent lump, ongoing symptoms or an uncertain diagnosis needs further GP or specialist review.
- Do not wait for the suggested review time if symptoms become worse, new symptoms appear, or you are worried.
- If you need medical advice and are unsure which service can help, call NHS 111. This includes when your GP is closed or you cannot get the help you need. NHS 111 can direct you to an appropriate local service. You can call even if you are not sure whether symptoms are serious.
When to get emergency help
(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)
- Sudden or unbearable testicle pain, even if an infection was previously diagnosed.
- Testicle pain with feeling sick, vomiting or tummy pain.
- Testicle pain lasting more than an hour or continuing at rest.
- Rapidly worsening redness or swelling with very severe pain, dark skin or severe illness.
- Severe difficulty breathing, such as gasping or being unable to speak normally.
- New confusion or not making sense when speaking.
- Being very difficult to wake.
- Collapse or loss of consciousness.
- Blue, grey, unusually pale or blotchy skin or lips, especially when feeling very unwell.
How to spot sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It can get worse quickly. If someone is seriously unwell and may have sepsis, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Do not wait for every sign, a high temperature or a rash.
An unwell child under 5 who has not had a pee or wet nappy for 12 hours needs emergency assessment. If you are unsure and there are no emergency signs, call NHS 111 for advice.
Sources
- NHS - Epididymo-orchitishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/epididymitis/
- NHS - NHS Borders - epididymo-orchitis follow-uphttps://www.rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/nhs-borders-clinical-guidelines/sexual-health/epididymo-orchitis/
- NHS - Sepsishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/
- NHS - When to use NHS 111https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/