Salivary gland infections

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Head and neck glands

Parotitis; Sialadenitis

In some cases, no treatment is necessary.

If there is pus or a fever, or if the infection is known or presumed to be bacterial, antibiotics may be prescribed. Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections.

Good oral hygiene, with thorough tooth brushing and flossing at least twice per day, may aid healing and help prevent an infection from spreading. If you are a smoker, stop smoking as it helps in recovery.

Warm salt water rinses (1/2 teaspoon of salt in one cup of water) may be soothing and keep the mouth moist.

Drink lots of water and use sugar-free lemon drops to increase the flow of saliva and reduce swelling.

Most salivary gland infections resolve spontaneously or are cured with treatment. Complications are not common, but they may occur.

• Abscess of salivary gland
• Localized spread of bacterial infection (cellulitis, Ludwig's angina)
• Recurrence of infection

Call your health care provider if symptoms of salivary gland infections are present.

Call your health care provider if a salivary gland infection has been diagnosed and symptoms worsen, particularly if fever increases, or there is breathing or swallowing difficulty (these may be emergency symptoms).

Review Date: 01/30/2007
Reviewed By: Ravindra Uppaluri, MD. Otolaryngologist, Private Practice, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.