What is the acute viral disease characterized by swelling of the parotid glands?

The acute viral disease characterized by swelling of the parotid glands is mumps. This condition, caused by the mumps virus, leads to noticeable swelling in the salivary glands, particularly the parotid glands located near the ears. Mumps is also associated with other symptoms such as fever, headache, and muscle aches, but the hallmark sign is indeed the enlargement of the parotid glands, which can be quite pronounced and is what differentiates it from other viral infections.

Mumps is particularly preventable through vaccination, with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine being a common immunization given during childhood. This disease can have complications, including orchitis (inflammation of the testicles) in males and oophoritis (inflammation of the ovaries) in females, but the immediate and most visible symptom remains the swelling of the parotid glands. Other options like measles and rubella do not cause parotid swelling, while influenza typically presents with respiratory symptoms rather than salivary gland inflammation.