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Epiglottitis
Medical Questions » Epiglottitis
| Name: Epiglottitis |
| Also known as: HiB Infection |
| Uncommon throat infection that is an acute medical emergency requiring urgent hospitalisation. |
Causes of Epiglottitis
The epiglottis is a piece of cartilage that sticks up at the back of the tongue to stop food from entering the wind pipe (trachea) when we swallow. If it becomes infected by bacteria (most commonly Haemophilus influenza B), it can swell up rapidly. Most common in children under five years of age. |
Symptoms of Epiglottitis
A very sore throat, fever and obvious illness. |
Tests for Epiglottitis
Diagnosis confirmed by a side-on X-ray of the neck that show the swollen epiglottis. Throat swabs are taken to identify the infecting bacteria. Sometimes blood tests are also performed. |
Treatment for Epiglottitis
Antibiotics to cure the infection and paracetamol to reduce fever and pain. Some hospitals routinely anesthetist children and put a tube through the mouth or nose and down the throat to prevent the airway from blocking. A vaccination against Haemophilus influenza B (HiB) is now routinely given to all children at two, four, six and 18 months of age.
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Complications of Epiglottitis of its treatment
In young children, if the epiglottis swells excessively, or is disturbed by trying to eat solids or by the tongue depressing stick of a doctor examining the mouth, it can cover the wind pipe completely and rapidly cause death through suffocation. For this reason a doctor will give the throat only a cursory examination before arranging the immediate transfer of the child to hospital. If the airway is obstructed in hospital, an emergency tracheotomy (an operation to make a hole into the wind pipe through the front of the neck) is performed to allow the child to breathe. HiB may also cause a severe form of meningitis. |
Likely Outcome of Epiglottitis
The infection usually settles in a few days. Provided there has been no airway obstruction, the outcome is excellent. |
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