Parotitis - Symptoms - Better Medicine

What are the symptoms of parotitis?

Parotitis causes swelling and inflammation of the parotid glands that may result in a number of symptoms. The symptoms can vary in intensity among individuals.

Throat and neck symptoms of parotitis

The most common symptoms of parotitis are related to the throat and neck and include:

Bad taste in the mouth
Difficulty opening the mouth
Dry mouth
Face pain
Fever
Mouth or facial pain, especially when eating
Redness over the side of the face or the upper neck
Sore throat
Swelling in the jaw region (temporomandibular area)

Symptoms that might indicate a serious condition

In some cases, parotitis can be a serious condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these serious symptoms:

Difficulty breathing
Difficulty swallowing
High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)

INTRODUCTION

What is parotitis?

Parotitis is the name given to inflammation and infection of the salivary glands known as the parotid glands. Inflammation results in swelling of the tissues that surround the salivary glands, redness, and soreness. Salivary glands are responsible for producing saliva in the mouth, which has the important function of cleansing the mouth. Inflammation of the salivary glands reduces their ab... Read more about parotitis introduction

CAUSES

What causes parotitis?

Bacterial infections of the salivary glands are commonly a result of an obstruction, such as salivary duct stones or poor oral hygiene. Drugs that cause dry mouth, such as some antihistamines, can increase the risk of parotitis, as can cancer treatments such as radiation therapy.... Read more about parotitis causes

TREATMENTS

How is parotitis treated?

Antibiotic therapy is the mainstay of treatment for parotitis that is caused by a bacterial infection. Additionally, if a secondary infection occurs within the mouth due to the dysfunctional salivary glands, antibiotics can be prescribed. Such an infection is diagnosed by fever or the presence of pus in the mouth. If complications such as an abscess occur, surgical drainage or aspiration may be required.... Read more about parotitis treatments