From the Research
Treatment for parotitis typically involves addressing the underlying cause while managing symptoms, with empiric antibiotic therapy started promptly for bacterial parotitis, typically with amoxicillin-clavulanate (875/125mg twice daily for 7-10 days) or clindamycin (300-450mg four times daily) if penicillin-allergic, as supported by the most recent study 1.
Key Considerations
- For viral parotitis (like mumps), treatment focuses on supportive care including adequate hydration, rest, and pain management with acetaminophen (500-1000mg every 6 hours) or ibuprofen (400-600mg every 6-8 hours) 1.
- Warm compresses applied to the affected area for 10-15 minutes several times daily can help reduce pain and swelling.
- Maintaining good oral hygiene, staying well-hydrated, and using sugar-free candies or gum to stimulate saliva production are important supportive measures.
Antibiotic Therapy
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate is a preferred antibiotic regimen for bacterial parotitis, with a dosage of 875/125mg twice daily for 7-10 days 1, 2.
- Clindamycin (300-450mg four times daily) is an alternative for patients who are penicillin-allergic 1.
Additional Measures
- For severe cases or abscess formation, surgical drainage may be necessary.
- Parotitis treatment is important to prevent complications such as abscess formation, facial nerve damage, or spread of infection to adjacent structures.
Evidence Summary
- The most recent study 1 provides moderate-level evidence for the use of amoxicillin-clavulanate and clindamycin in the treatment of bacterial parotitis.
- Other studies 3, 4, 5, 2 provide additional support for the use of antibiotic therapy in the treatment of parotitis, but are less recent or have a higher risk of bias.