Question: I have had Parotitis (Mumps) for almost a month. I have a huge lump on my left side of face/neck and it is extremely painful especially at night. I have finished taking antibiotics for 10 days and the lump has not gotten any smaller. Is surgery the only thing left to do to get rid of the remaining parotid gland swelling?
Answer: Mumps is generally a childhood illness that causes swelling in salivary glands, especially the parotid gland (parotitis). It can occur at any age. Mumps is caused by the mumps virus and would not respond to antibiotics. Today, because of the mumps vaccine, it is unusual in the United States. Mumps generally is self limited and will last for a week to ten days. There are many other possible causes of parotid gland swelling (parotitis)- including other viral infections. Parotitis for a month unlikely to be uncomplicated mumps.
More common today than mumps are bacterial infections of the parotid gland. One can have swelling from bacterial infections of the parotid gland- from stones, blocking the drainage of the gland, as well as from a small abscess around an area of infection. Additionally, unfortunately, one can have tumors- most often benign, of the salivary gland that cause a persistent swelling in the gland.
It seems unlikely that you have mumps causing your persistent problem.
I would suggest an evaluation by an otolaryngologist- if you’re in the NY area, we would be happy to help you-
Robert Pincus MD
Asssociate Professor Otolaryngology
NY Medical College
NY Sinus Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Parotid gland swelling can be caused by a variety of conditions other than mumps, including bacterial infections, salivary gland stones that block drainage, small abscesses, and benign tumors of the salivary gland. Each of these causes requires different approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
Antibiotics are effective only if the swelling is due to a bacterial infection. Since mumps and many other viral infections cause parotid gland swelling, antibiotics will not reduce swelling caused by viruses. Therefore, if swelling persists after antibiotic treatment, it may indicate a non-bacterial cause or other complications.
Due to widespread vaccination, mumps is now rare in the United States and other countries with vaccination programs. Most cases of parotitis today are caused by other viral or bacterial infections, or other factors affecting the salivary glands.
Mumps parotitis generally lasts about one week to ten days and tends to resolve without specific treatment. If parotid swelling persists beyond this period, it is less likely to be uncomplicated mumps and requires further medical evaluation.
Anyone with parotid gland swelling lasting longer than a couple of weeks, especially if it is painful or does not respond to antibiotics, should consult an otolaryngologist. A specialist can perform appropriate diagnostic tests to identify the cause and recommend effective treatment.
Surgery is not always required for persistent parotid gland swelling. Treatment depends on the underlying cause; infections may be treated medically, stones may require minimally invasive procedures, and only certain tumors or abscesses might necessitate surgery. A thorough evaluation is necessary to determine the best course of action.
