A condition that causes swelling of the parotid gland is called parotitis. The salivary glands that are located between the jaw and ear are known as parotid glands. Usually, it occurs due to viral or bacterial infections, salivary gland stones, and dental issues. If you are diagnosed with parotitis, doctors may prescribe antivirals, antibiotics, heat application, and massage.
Moreover, this condition is sometimes called viral parotitis because it is often associated with mumps. However, this condition can be a symptom of multiple health conditions, such as autoimmune disorders and others. In addition, parotitis can be acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term).
How Does Parotitis Affect My Body?
Those who develop this condition may experience severe swelling on the side of the face. Mostly, swelling affects both sides of the face.
Symptoms
The symptoms appear differently among people who develop parotitis because it depends on several factors. For example, the underlying condition, the severity of parotitis, overall health, and age. Check below for the most common symptoms of this disorder:
- Fever
- Chills
- Sore throat
- Headaches
- Pain in the affected area
- Malaise
- Extreme tiredness
- Appetite changes
- Dry mouth and eyes (that are commonly associated with Sjogren’s syndrome)
Additionally, most people who develop acute parotitis have extremely tender parotid glands. However, if they develop chronic parotitis, the symptoms are usually mild.
Causes
In general, there are multiple causes why a person develops parotitis. Check below some conditions that parotid gland swelling can be associated with:
- Fungal infections (such as Candida)
- Sialadenitis (salivary gland inflammation) or sialolithiasis (salivary gland stones)
- Salivary gland tumors
- Poor oral hygiene
- Dehydration
- Staph infections
- Diabetes
- COVID-19
- Influenza
- Epstein-Barr
- Herpes
- Mumps
- Smoking
- Alcohol use disorder
- Dental malocclusion
- Bruxism (teeth clenching or grinding)
- Trauma to the mouth
- HIV infection
- Certain medicines (including antihistamines, antidepressants, and antipsychotics)
- Eating disorders (such as bulimia, anorexia, and others)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Tuberculosis
- Sarcoidosis
- Sjogren’s syndrome
Moreover, there are multiple viruses that may cause swelling of the parotid glands. However, the most common is MuV (the virus that causes mumps).
In addition, parotitis can be contagious if it is caused by bacterial or viral infections. Generally, bacteria and viruses can easily spread through saliva droplets, sharing personal items (such as towels), and other ways.
What Are The Long-term Effects of Parotitis?
Those who develop parotitis may also experience some complications. Check below some of them:
- Mumps-related complications – These include orchitis, oophoritis, mastitis, and others.
- Pancreatitis
- Meningitis
- Encephalitis
- Hearing loss
- Dehydration
- Sepsis
- Facial nerve injury
- Necrotizing fasciitis
- Permanent disability
- Infertility
This document does not contain a full list of parotitis complications. However, you can consult with your healthcare provider about ways to prevent them.
How to Prevent Parotitis?
One of the best ways to prevent this condition is the MMR vaccine. However, you can consider the following tips to reduce the risk of developing it. Examples include:
- Practice good oral hygiene
- Limit or avoid alcoholic drinks
- Quit smoking (if you face problems with smoking cessation, it is advised to discuss it with your healthcare professional)
- Practice safe sex – It is recommended to use condoms or dental dams during sexual intercourse, especially with new or multiple partners.
- Get adequate nutrition
- Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration
- Regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water. If soap or water is not available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Diagnosis
First, doctors will examine your face and may gently press on the skin in front of the ears and along the jawline to check for abnormalities linked to the parotitis. However, to confirm the diagnosis, physicians may massage the parotid glands from the back to the front to identify if drainage (pus) is present in the saliva. Thereafter, they may take a sample of saliva to perform bacterial culture testing. For instance, if the bacteria are found during this test, physicians may recommend antibiotics to treat the condition.
Treatment
Usually, doctors prescribe different treatments for people with parotitis because it depends on some factors. For example, the underlying condition, the severity of the parotitis, age, existing health problems, and preferences. However, they usually recommend antivirals, antibiotics, or antifungals, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers (including Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen), and applying heat to the swollen parotid glands.
When the parotitis is caused by an autoimmune disorder, physicians may recommend steroids to treat the condition. In severe cases, healthcare professionals may recommend a parotidectomy (a procedure in which all or a part of the parotid glands are removed). It is also prescribed if you develop parotid gland tumors or cancers.
While some people get rid of the condition without treatment, usually people recover within several days with treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see my healthcare provider?
It is advised to see a doctor if you experience severe facial swelling, especially with the following symptoms. For example, fever, chills, and other signs of an infection.
Who does parotitis affect?
While anyone may develop this condition, some of them are at increased risk. For example, people with HIV infection, staph infections, COVID-19, and the flu. Talk with your doctor for more details.
Can stress cause parotitis?
Yes, parotid glands are very sensitive to stress. For instance, the physical demands of disordered eating behavior may lead to swelling. Ask your healthcare provider if you have additional questions.
