Clinical features: Acute infectious inflammation of the epiglottis, supraglottic and hypopharynx. Epiglottitis is a potentially lethal disease. Edema of the epiglottis may cause acute airway obstruction. Epiglottitis occur both in children and adults. Haemophilus influenzae is often the cause.
AE is characterized by throat pain, difficult swallowing, drooling, husky voice, fever often high and with chills, patients prefer sitting posture, laborious, inspiration, cough in some cases and anxiety.
NOTE When epiglottitis is strongly suspected, the patient should be referred immediately to a specialist for hospitalization without further examination, as incision of the throat may be dangerous. |
Treatment guidelines
• Immediate hospitalization
• Transportation: sitting, with oxygen supplementation
• Be prepared to treat respiratory failure (intubation or tracheotomy)
• Antibiotics may be given if transport lasts more than one hour.
