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Mumps - Parotitis

Low urgency
Common-

Inflammation of one or both of the salivary glands called parotid glands, located at the angle of the jaw.

Caused by a virus of the Paramyxovirus group, which is transmitted by saliva droplets when talking, coughing or sneezing.

It manifests with a painful swelling of the gland that causes a deformation of the face.

Diagnosis is based on clinical history and complete physical examination and clinical and serological laboratory tests.

It usually lasts a week and subsides spontaneously without specific treatment. Only the symptoms are treated.

Bibliographic references
  1. Anthony W Chow. Suppurative parotitis in adults. UpToDate. Jul 31, 2015.
  2. Mary A Albrecht. Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of mumps UpToDate, Septiembre 2016
  3. Dayan GH. Mumps outbreaks in vaccinated populations: are available mumps vaccines effective enough to prevent outbreaks? Clin Infect Dis 2008; 47:1458.
  4. Jan E Drutz. Measles, mumps, and rubella immunization in infants, children, and adolescents. UpToDate. Septiembre 2016.
  5. McLean HQ. Prevention of measles, rubella, congenital rubella syndrome, and mumps, 2013: summary recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep 2013; 62:1.
  6. Steven A. Rubin. Parotiditis. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna, 19e. Capítulo 231e
Author
Dr. Sara Vitoria
Copyright
© TeckelMedical 2026

Symptoms

    Swollen face

    Inner cheek is reddened and filled with pus

    Face swollen on one side

    Swollen neck

    Swollen face erases posterior border of the jaw

Symptoms to watch out for

Vomiting
If it is accompanied by seizures
Headache
Fever (temperature higher than 38 ºC)
Neck stiffness
Hearing loss
Pregnancy
History of immunodeficiency (HIV, diabetes mellitus, oncological disorders, long-term corticosteroid consumption).
Testicles inflammation (orchitis)

Self-care

Isolate the infant for 5 days since the beginning of the symptoms to avoid transmission of the disease to others.
Consume over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatories.
Apply cold compresses 3 times a day for 20 minutes to reduce the symptoms.
Maintain hydration of 2L per day. Avoid soft drinks and fruit juices with high sugar content.
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