Epiglottitis is inflammation of the cartilage that covers the trachea (windpipe).
See also: Croup
Alternative NamesSupraglottitis
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsEpiglottitis is a life-threatening disease. The epiglottis is a piece of cartilage at the back of the tongue. Its job is to close off the windpipe when swallowing. It keeps food from entering the airways, so you don't cough or choke after swallowing.
Epiglottitis is swelling of the epiglottis, which may block the windpipe and lead to breathing problems. Swelling of the epiglottis is usually caused by the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae), although it may also be caused by other bacteria or viruses that lead to upper respiratory infections.
Epiglottitis is now very uncommon, but it was most common in children ages 2 - 6. Rarely, epiglottitis can occur in adults, and it may be easily overlooked in such patients.
The occurrence of epiglottitis has decreased dramatically in the United States since the H. influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine became a routine childhood immunization in the late 1980s.
SymptomsEpiglottitis begins with a high fever and sore throat. Other symptoms may include:
Epiglottitis is a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical help. Do not use a tongue depressor (tongue blade) to try to examine the throat at home, as this may make the condition worse.
The health care provider will examine the voice box (larynx) using either a small mirror held against the back of the throat or a viewing tube called a laryngoscope. (See: laryngoscopy) The exam may show a swollen and red epiglottis.
Tests used to diagnose epiglottitis may include:
The patient will be admitted to the hospital, usually an intensive care unit (ICU).
Treatment may include methods to help the patient breathe, including:
Other treatments may include:
Epiglottitis can be a life-threatening emergency. However, with proper treatment, the outcome is usually good.
ComplicationsSpasm may cause the airways to close abruptly. In this case, death follows within minutes.
The airways may become totally blocked, which could result in death.
Calling your health care providerCall the local emergency number (such as 911) if your child has symptoms of epiglottitis, including sudden breathing difficulties, excessive drooling, and irritability.
PreventionImmunization with the Hib vaccine protects children from epiglottitis.
The bacterial infection that causes epiglottitis is contagious, so family members should be screened and treated if appropriate.
ReferencesSobol SE. Epiglottitis and croup. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2008;41(3):551-566.
Alcaide ML. Pharyngitis and epiglottitis. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2007;21(2):449-469.
Epiglottitis is inflammation of the tissue that covers the trachea (windpipe). It is a life-threatening disease.
See also: Croup
Alternative NamesSupraglottitis
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe epiglottis is a piece of stiff, yet flexible tissue (called cartilage) at the back of the tongue. It closes your windpipe (trachea) when you swallow so food does not enter your airways. This helps prevent coughing or choking after swallowing.
Swelling of the epiglottis is usually caused by the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae). It may also be caused by other bacteria or viruses related to upper respiratory infections.
Epiglottitis is now very uncommon, because the H. influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine is a routine childhood immunization. The disease was once most often seen in children ages 2 - 6. Rarely, epiglottitis can occur in adults.
SymptomsEpiglottitis begins with a high fever and sore throat. Other symptoms may include:
Epiglottitis is a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical help. Do not use a tongue depressor (tongue blade) to try to examine the throat at home, as this may make the condition worse.
The health care provider may examine the voice box (larynx) using either a small mirror held against the back of the throat or a viewing tube called a laryngoscope.
This examination is best done in the operating room or a similar setting where sudden breathing problems can be more easily handled.Tests that may be done include:
TreatmentA hospital stay is needed, usually in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Treatment involves methods to help the person breathe, including:
Other treatments may include:
Epiglottitis can be a life-threatening emergency. However, with proper treatment, the outcome is usually good.
ComplicationsSpasm may cause the airways to close abruptly. In this case, death follows within minutes.
The airways may become totally blocked, which could result in death.
Calling your health care providerCall the local emergency number (such as 911) if your child has symptoms of epiglottitis, including sudden breathing difficulties, excessive drooling, and irritability.
PreventionImmunization with the Hib vaccine protects most children from epiglottitis.
The bacteria that causes epiglottitis is contagious. If someone in your family is sick from this bacteria, you need to be tested and treated appropriately.
ReferencesManno M. Pediatric respiratory emergencies: Upper airway obstruction and infections. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 166.
Burns JE, Hendley JO. Epiglottitis. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 59.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 02/02/2012
John Goldenring, MD, MPH, JD, Pediatrics, Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group, San Diego, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Epiglottitis is inflammation of the epiglottis.
Because the epiglottis may swell considerably, there is a danger that the airway will be blocked off by the very structure designed to protect it. Air is then unable to reach the lungs. Without intervention, epiglottitis has the potential to be fatal.
A patient with epiglottitis typically experiences a sudden fever, and begins having severe throat and neck pain. Because the swollen epiglottis interferes significantly with air movement, every breath creates a loud, harsh.
no, he was not assassinated, he died of either acute epiglottitis or quinsy
No. Washington died of complications during a bout of epiglottitis.
Prevention involves the use of a vaccine against H. influenzae type b (called the Hib vaccine). It is given to babies at two, four, six, and 15 months. Use of this vaccine has made epiglottitis a very rare occurrence.
Untreated hemophilus infections--particularly meningitis, sepsis, and epiglottitis--have a high mortality rate.
* Choking * Stridor * Epiglottitis
When the symptoms appear to be severe, or the history suggests it, x rays may be taken to rule out epiglottitis (infection of the epiglottis) or aspiration of a foreign body
With treatment (including the establishment of an artificial airway), only about 1% of children with epiglottitis die. Without the artificial airway, this figure jumps to 6%. Most patients recover form the infection, and can have.
An instrument called a laryngoscope is often used in the operating room to view the epiglottis, which will appear cherry-red and quite swollen. An x-ray picture taken from the side of the neck should also be obtained. The swollen.
Stridor is the medical term meaning high-pitched breathing sound caused by blockage. Stridor may be a sign of an inhaled foreign body or of epiglottitis.