Causes of parotitis
There are many reasons why a person’s parotid gland might swell, though the risk factors aren’t always clear. Parotid gland swelling may be associated with: Mumps. Herpes. Epstein-Barr. Influenza. COVID-19. Staph infections. Candida or other fungal infections. Diabetes. Salivary gland inflammation (sialadenitis). Salivary gland stones (sialolithiasis). Salivary gland tumors. Poor oral hygiene. Dehydration. Sjogren’s syndrome. Sarcoidosis. Tuberculosis. Cystic fibrosis. Anorexia. Bulimia. Certain drugs, like some antihistamines, antidepressants and antipsychotics. HIV. Trauma to your mouth. Bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching). Dental malocclusion (when your bite is “off”). Alcohol use disorder. Smoking or tobacco use. What virus causes parotitis? Many different viruses can cause parotid gland swelling. But the most common is MuV — the virus that causes mumps. Other viruses include herpes, HIV, Epstein-Barr and COVID-19.
