Epiglottitis

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Haemophilus influenza organism Throat anatomy Haemophilus influenza organism

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Epiglottitis

• Drooling
• Sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty breathing (patient may need to sit upright leaning slightly forward to breathe adequately)
• Stridor (noisy breathing, "crowing" sound when inhaling)
• Hoarseness
• Chills, shaking
• Fever
• Cyanosis (blue skin coloring)

Do not attempt to examine the throat (larynx) at home, because use of the tongue blade may cause the condition to worsen.

The health care provider will examine the larynx (laryngoscopy) and may find an enlarged, reddened epiglottis. Anesthesia may be required for laryngoscopy in a patient with epiglottitis, in the event insertion of a breathing tube (intubation) becomes necessary to maintain the airway.

• Stridor may be present.
• Blood culture or throat culture may show H. influenzae or other bacteria.
• A CBC may show an elevated WBC count.
• Neck x-rays may show enlargement of the epiglottis.

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