Salivary Gland Infection Causes & Risks

Causes

A variety of factors can lead to an inflamed parotid gland. They include:

Viral infection
- Mumps is the main virus causing parotitis, but this virus is rare today because of vaccines .
- AIDS can cause swelling and enlarged parotid glands
A blockage may block saliva flow and lead to a bacterial infection; causes include:
- Salivary stone in the parotid gland
- Mucus plug in a salivary duct
- Tumor (usually benign)
Sjogren’s syndrome —an autoimmune disease
Sarcoidosis
Malnutrition
Radiation treatment of head and neck cancer can lead to parotid gland inflammation
Other conditions can cause the parotid glands to become enlarged, but not infected, including:

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

Discuss these risk factors with your doctor:

Lifestyle:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Not vaccinated against mumps
Age: older than age 65
Medical conditions:
- HIV-positive or AIDS
- Sjogren’s syndrome
- Diabetes
- Malnutrition
- Alcoholism
- Bulimia

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2023 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.