8 Year old boy presented with swelling on both sides of the face, below the ears of 4 days duration. It first started on the left side and then 3 days later on the right side Possible diagnosis will be
**Core Concept**
Bilateral parotid swelling in a child is suggestive of a condition that involves inflammation of the salivary glands, specifically the parotid glands. This condition is often associated with a viral etiology.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The child's presentation is consistent with mumps, a viral infection caused by the mumps virus (muLV). Mumps is a highly contagious disease that primarily affects the parotid glands, leading to swelling, pain, and fever. The virus targets the parotid glands, causing inflammation and edema, which can be unilateral or bilateral. In this case, the child's symptoms started on one side and then progressed to the other, which is a classic presentation of mumps.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because parotid swelling in a child can be caused by various conditions, but the presence of bilateral swelling points more towards a viral etiology like mumps rather than a neoplastic process like parotid cancer.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because while parotiditis can be caused by other viral infections like Coxsackievirus, the child's presentation and the bilateral nature of the swelling are more suggestive of mumps.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because while Sjögren's syndrome can cause parotid swelling, it is a systemic autoimmune disorder that typically presents with other symptoms like dry eyes and dry mouth, which are not mentioned in the child's presentation.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Mumps is a vaccine-preventable disease, and vaccination is recommended for all children. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is typically given in two doses, one at 12-15 months and another at 4-6 years of age.
**Correct Answer: C. Sjögren's syndrome.