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Parotitis
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- An infectious disease, often occurring in epidemics, usually characterized by swelling of the parotid glands. The parotid glands are located at the angle of the jaw (mandible), bilaterally.
- The disease usually does not last more than 7-10 days.
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- Swollen (edematous), painful parotid glands
- Fever
- Body aches
- Throat pain and chest pain
- Other salivary glands may be edematous.
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- An RNA virus, one of the paramixoviruses
- The common disease which physicians call, "mumps," is the usual meaning of the word, "parotitis." However, any inflammation of the parotid gland would be parotitis, and it can also occur with other viruses that cause parotid swelling.
- The discussion below refers to mumps.
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- The swollen parotid glands give a typical appearance to the face, with the angle of the mandible obscured by the swelling. This swelling makes the earlobe extend away from the face.
- The other symptoms above, are often present.
- Often, but not always, the serum amylase is elevated.
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- Susceptible individuals are those who:
- Have not had the disease
- Were never successfully immunized
- No longer have maternal antibodies, which are acquired during fetal life.
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- Comfort measures, such as cooling baths, calamine lotion, ice packs around the neck, Tylenol, bed rest, etc.
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- Difficulty eating and swallowing
- Hearing loss
- Arthritis
- Pancreatitis, causing abdominal pain
- Orchitis ( inflammation of the testes)
- Epididymitis
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- Physician evaluation is needed.
Complications can lead to more serious conditions, so don't
delay.
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- Any disease of the parotid gland
- A stone in the parotid duct may similarly cause painful edema.
- Edema of other salivary glands, or enlarged lymph nodes in the vicinity of the parotid gland
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