Parotitis is swelling in one or both parotid glands. These are 2 large salivary glands that are between each ear and jaw.
The problem can be:
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There are many causes. It depends whether the illness is acute or chronic. The most common causes are:
This illness is more common in older adults and newborns. Other things that may raise the risk are:
Acute parotitis may cause:
Chronic parotitis may cause:
Chronic parotitis can destroy the salivary glands.
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. This may be enough to make a diagnosis.
Tests may include a blood test and a fluid sample from the parotid gland.
Pictures may be taken of the area. These may be done with:
The cause of the problem will need to be treated. Choices are:
Good oral hygiene may lower the risk of acute parotitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov
Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca
Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
Acute suppurative parotitis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/acute-suppurative-parotitis. Accessed October 30, 2020.
Chronic recurrent parotitis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/chronic-recurrent-parotitis. Accessed October 30, 2020.
Hernandez S, Busso C, et al. Parotitis and Sialendoscopy of the Parotid Gland. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2016 Apr;49(2):381-393.
Parotitis. Net Doctor website. Available at: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/conditions/mouth-and-teeth/a3082/parotitis. Accessed October 30, 2020.
Last reviewed September 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board James P. Cornell, MD