🔥 Epiglottitis
Epiglottitis is a potentially life-threatening inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis, the flap of tissue that covers the windpipe (trachea) during swallowing to prevent food from entering the airway.
🧬 Causes:
- Bacterial infection (most commonly Haemophilus influenzae type b — Hib)
- Other bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus
- Viral infections (less common)
- Trauma or burns to the throat (rare)
🩺 Symptoms:
- Sudden onset of high fever
- Severe sore throat
- Difficulty and pain swallowing (dysphagia)
- Drooling (due to inability to swallow saliva)
- Muffled or hoarse voice
- Stridor (a harsh, wheezing sound when breathing in)
- Difficulty breathing or respiratory distress
- Anxiety or agitation due to breathing difficulty
🔍 Diagnosis:
- Clinical suspicion is critical; epiglottitis is a medical emergency.
- Visual examination of the throat (with caution to avoid distress and airway obstruction)
- Lateral neck X-ray: Shows a “thumbprint sign” indicating swollen epiglottis
- Direct laryngoscopy under controlled conditions in the operating room
💊 Treatment:
- Emergency airway management:
- Secure the airway promptly (may require intubation or tracheostomy)
- Hospitalization and monitoring in ICU
- Intravenous antibiotics to treat bacterial infection
- Steroids to reduce airway swelling
- Supportive care (oxygen, fluids)