Symptoms

• If calculi are small they not cause any symptoms.
• If calculi are large and obstruct the outflow of saliva to the mouth, they cause inflammation and pain, especially when eating as there is increased saliva secretion from the glands.
• Occasionally, fever and redness of the area may occur when there is a bacterial infection.

Diagnosis

• Medical history and examination (sometimes the stone is felt when the salivary gland is examined).
• Ultrasound
• Sialography, a radiological test that visualises the ducts of the major salivary glands. An iodine solution is injected through the saliva outlet holes allowing accurate visualization of the duct pathway on X-ray.
• Other imaging tests include MRI, CT, …

Mumps is inflammation of the parotid glands, one of the most common causes being the viral infection paramyxovirus.

 
The virus is spread person-to-person through the respiratory tract by inhaling saliva droplets produced by talking, or through direct contact with saliva from an infected person.

Symptoms usually appear 7-21 days after exposure to the virus.

It occurs at any age but is more common in young adults.