What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Infections of the Salivary Gland
• Parotitis
• Sialadenitis

What is Salivary Gland Infections? (Definition/Background Information)

• Salivary gland infections are viral, bacterial, or fungal infection that occurs in the salivary glands and ducts, which cause swelling of the salivary glands
• Salivary glands produce saliva that helps in:
  • Lubricating the mouth
  • Swallowing        
  • Protects the teeth against bacteria
  • Digestion of food
• There are 3 major types of salivary glands which are:
  • Parotid glands, found on the sides of the face
  • Submandibular glands located at the back of mouth, on both sides of the jaw
  • Sublingual glands that are seen under the floor of the mouth 
• When a virus, bacteria, or fungus attack these salivary glands, the condition is termed as Salivary Gland Infection
• Older adults, individuals with poor oral hygiene, HIV-infected individuals, diabetics, and alcoholics are more at risk of Salivary Gland Infections
• Diagnosis of the condition is made by physical examinations and imaging studies, which include ultrasound and MRI scan
• Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics, viral infections are not treated with antiviral agents, and fungal infections are treated with anti-fungal medications
• Mild salivary gland infections get better on their own, while the more severe infections can be cured by effective treatment and management methods
• Complications are not common, but may occur in rare cases such as abscess formation, recurrence of infection, and spread of infection to blood (blood poisoning or septicemia) 

Who gets Salivary Gland Infections? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Salivary Gland Infections can occur at any age; but mostly individuals over 65 years of age have a higher risk
• Both males and females are affected by such infections
• The condition is observed worldwide and all racial and ethnic groups may be affected

What are the Risk Factors for Salivary Gland Infections? (Predisposing Factors)

Following are the risk factors associated with Salivary Glands Infections:

• Older adults usually above 65 years of age
• Those with poor oral hygiene
• Individuals who are not immunized against mumps

There are also certain conditions that can increase the risk of Salivary Glands Infections:

• HIV-positive or AIDS
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Bulimia
• Alcoholism
• Xerostomia (or dry mouth syndrome)

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Salivary Gland Infections? (Etiology)

Salivary gland infections are viral, bacterial, or fungal infections. The possible causes of the infections could be:

• Viral infection such as:
  • Mumps
• Bacterial infection most often occur as a result of:
  • Salivary duct stones blocking the ducts
  • Poor oral hygiene     
  • Smoking
  • Any chronic illness
• Fungal infections due to:
  • Histoplasmosis
  • Blastomycosis
  • Coccidioidomycosis       

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Salivary Gland Infections?

The signs and symptoms associated with Salivary Gland Infections may include:

• Foul or abnormal tastes
• Difficulty to open the mouth, pain while eating (pain may be felt in the mouth and face)
• Dryness of mouth
• Fever
• The side of the face or upper neck becomes red
• Swelling of the face, in front of ears (parotid gland), below the jaw (submandibular gland), or at the floor of the mouth (sublingual gland)

How is Salivary Gland Infections Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of Salivary Gland Infections may involve:

• Complete evaluation of medical history along with a thorough physical examination
• During the physical exam, the physician will look for enlarged salivary glands
• Blood tests to detect possible infections
• A CT scan or ultrasound scan may be performed, if an abscess is suspected
• MRI scan is also a good measure to assess the condition
• Salivary gland biopsy: The biopsy sample is examined by a pathologist under a microscope for a definitive diagnosis
• Salivary gland tissue biopsy cultures that are performed to detect the organism causing the infection

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis. 

What are the possible Complications of Salivary Gland Infections?

The following are the possible complications of Salivary Gland Infections:

• Abscess (pus formation) in the salivary glands
• Recurrence of the infection
• Cellulitis: Skin infection caused by bacteria
• Ludwig’s angina: Serious infection of the neck and floor of the mouth

How is Salivary Gland Infections Treated?

The treatment of Salivary Gland Infections depends upon the underlying cause and this may include:

• Antibiotics are given to treat bacterial infections
• Antiviral are given for viral infections
• Antifungal medications are administered for fungal infections
• If there is an abscess formation, it may be drained by aspiration or surgery
• Practicing good oral hygiene will help in proper management of the disease. Such practices include:
  • Brushing the teeth twice each day
  • Flossing the teeth thoroughly twice every day   
• Avoidance of smoking is very beneficial and will go a long way in effective management of the infections
• Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water will help soothe the gums and keep the mouth moist
• Drinking plenty of water, use of sugar-free lemon drops will help increase saliva production and reduce oral swelling
• Heat massage of the glands will also help in decreasing pain 

How can Salivary Gland Infections be Prevented?

Salivary Gland Infections can be prevented by observing the following steps:

• Brushing the teeth twice per day
• Flossing the teeth thoroughly twice per day
• Avoiding smoking
• Regularly rinsing the mouth with warm salt water
• Drinking lots of water

What is the Prognosis of Salivary Gland Infections? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• The prognosis of Salivary Gland Infections depends upon the cause and severity of infections
• Mild infections get better on their own, while the more severe ones can be cured by effective treatment and oral health management methods
• Typically, complications are uncommon but may occur in some rare cases

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Salivary Gland Infections:

The following DoveMed website link is a useful resource for additional information:

https://www.dovemed.com/diseases-conditions/infection-center/