Epiglottitis history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Typical manifestations of acute epiglottitis in children include high fever, irritability, dysphagia, sore throat, stridor, and rapidly progressing respiratory distress.[1] A forward-leaning position with drooling while trying to breathe is typically seen in affected children. Adults usually have milder presentations and less commonly develop airway obstruction with respiratory distress.[2]
Symptoms
Epiglottitis presents differently in children and adults. 80 to 95% of adults with epiglottitis y present with sore throat and dysphagia[1] whereas the predominant symptoms inffected children are high fever, muffled or hoarse voice, drooling and difficulty swallowing.[1] It is important to note however that since the introduction of the Hemophilus Infuenzae vaccination in many countries, the disease is becoming relatively more common in adults. The child often appears acutely ill, anxious, and has very quiet shallow breathing with the head held forward, insisting on sitting up in bed. The early symptoms are insidious but rapidly progressive, and swelling of the throat may lead to cyanosis and asphyxiation. Cases in adults are most typically seen amongst abusers of crack cocaine and have a more subacute presentation.
Other symptoms may include:[3][4]
- Abnormal breathing sounds (stridor)
- Chills, shaking
- Cyanosis (blue skin coloring)
- Drooling
- Difficulty breathing (patient may need to sit upright and lean slightly forward to breathe)
- Difficulty swallowing
- Voice changes (hoarseness)
- General malaise and a globus sensation in the throat may be the initial symptom.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ossoff RH, Wolff AP, Ballenger JJ (1980). "Acute epiglottitis in adults: experience with fifteen cases". Laryngoscope. 90 (7 Pt 1): 1155–61. PMID 6967138.
- ↑ Cohen SR, Chai J (1978). "Epiglottitis. Twenty-year study with tracheotomy". Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 87 (4 Pt 1): 461–7. PMID 686588.
- ↑ Tanaka S, Kikuchi S, Ohata A, Tsutsumi T, Ohki M (2015). "[A Clinical Study of Acute Epiglottitis]". Nihon Jibiinkoka Gakkai Kaiho. 118 (11): 1301–8. PMID 26827594.
- ↑ Charles R, Fadden M, Brook J (2013). "Acute epiglottitis". BMJ. 347: f5235. doi:10.1136/bmj.f5235. PMID 24052580.