Salivary Gland Infection
Infection of a gland that makes saliva, near the cheek or jaw
Quick Facts
- Type: Infection of a salivary gland
- Common causes: Bacteria, viruses, blocked saliva flow
- Main glands: Parotid (cheek) and submandibular (under jaw)
- Seek care if: Spreading swelling, high fever, trouble swallowing
Overview
A salivary gland infection, also called sialadenitis, occurs when one of the glands that make saliva becomes infected and inflamed. The largest are the parotid glands in front of the ears and the submandibular glands under the jaw. Saliva normally flushes bacteria out of these glands, so anything that slows saliva flow makes infection more likely.
Most infections affect a single gland and cause pain and swelling over the cheek or under the jaw. Bacterial infections are common, especially in older or dehydrated people, while viral infections such as mumps can affect the glands on both sides. Most cases improve with treatment and good hydration, but a few develop complications such as an abscess that need more involved care.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually develop over hours to a few days and may include:
- Painful swelling over the cheek or under the jaw, often on one side
- Tenderness and firmness of the affected gland
- Pain that worsens with eating, when saliva flow increases
- A foul or salty taste in the mouth
- Reduced ability to open the mouth fully
- Pus draining into the mouth from the gland's duct
- Fever and feeling generally unwell
Redness and warmth over the gland, with spreading swelling, suggest a more significant bacterial infection.
Causes
Salivary gland infections arise when bacteria or viruses overcome the gland's defenses:
- Bacterial infection: Often follows reduced saliva flow, allowing mouth bacteria to travel up the duct into the gland.
- Viral infection: Mumps is a classic cause of swollen parotid glands, often on both sides.
- Salivary stones: A stone blocking a duct dams up saliva and predisposes to infection.
- Dehydration: Thickened, sluggish saliva, common in illness or after surgery, raises the risk.
- Dry mouth: From medications, radiation, or conditions such as Sjogren's syndrome.
Risk Factors
- Dehydration or reduced fluid intake
- Older age, especially after illness or surgery
- Dry mouth from medications or medical conditions
- Salivary stones blocking a duct
- Poor oral hygiene
- A weakened immune system
Diagnosis
A clinician usually diagnoses the infection by examination, with tests when needed:
- Physical exam: Feeling the swollen, tender gland and checking for pus at the duct opening inside the mouth.
- Imaging: Ultrasound or CT can confirm the infection, find a blocking stone, or detect an abscess.
- Saliva or pus sample: May be tested to identify the bacteria and guide antibiotics.
- Blood tests: Can show signs of infection or help identify a viral cause such as mumps.
Treatment
Treatment depends on whether the cause is bacterial or viral:
- Antibiotics: Prescribed for bacterial infections.
- Hydration: Drinking plenty of fluids helps restore saliva flow and flush the gland.
- Stimulating saliva: Sour sweets, lemon drops, or chewing gum encourage saliva to drain the gland.
- Warm compresses and massage: Applied over the gland to ease pain and promote drainage.
- Pain relief: Over-the-counter pain medicines reduce discomfort and fever.
- Treating the cause: Removing a salivary stone or draining an abscess if one forms.
Viral infections such as mumps are managed with rest, fluids, and pain relief while the body clears the virus.
Prevention
- Stay well hydrated, especially when ill or after surgery
- Practice good oral hygiene
- Stimulate saliva with sugar-free gum or sour sweets if your mouth is dry
- Treat dry mouth and salivary stones with your clinician
- Keep up to date with the mumps (MMR) vaccine
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if you have painful swelling over a salivary gland, especially with fever or pus draining into the mouth. Seek urgent or emergency care if you develop:
- Rapidly spreading swelling of the face, jaw, or neck
- High fever and feeling very unwell
- Difficulty swallowing, opening the mouth, or breathing
- Redness and firmness spreading across the skin
These can signal a serious or deep infection that needs prompt treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes a salivary gland infection?
Most are bacterial and follow reduced saliva flow, which lets mouth bacteria enter the gland. Viruses such as mumps can also infect the glands, and a salivary stone blocking a duct or dehydration makes infection more likely.
Why does the swelling hurt more when I eat?
Eating stimulates the gland to make saliva, which increases pressure in an inflamed or blocked gland and worsens the pain. This eating-related pain is a common feature of salivary gland problems, especially when a stone is present.
How is a salivary gland infection treated?
Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics, plus fluids, warm compresses, gentle massage, and saliva-stimulating sweets or gum to help the gland drain. Viral infections like mumps are managed with rest, fluids, and pain relief while they resolve.
Is a salivary gland infection contagious?
Bacterial salivary gland infections are not generally contagious. Mumps, a viral cause, is contagious and spreads through saliva and respiratory droplets, which is why the MMR vaccine is important for prevention.
When is a salivary gland infection an emergency?
Seek urgent care if swelling spreads rapidly across the face or neck, you have a high fever, or you have trouble swallowing, opening your mouth, or breathing. These suggest a deep or serious infection that needs prompt treatment.
References
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Salivary gland infections.
- Merck Manual. Sialadenitis.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Mumps.
- Mayo Clinic. Salivary gland disorders.