A swollen epiglottis can restrict the flow of air into your lungs. It can cause difficulty breathing or even death. This is why epiglottitis is usually a medical emergency, as it needs urgent treatment.
The main risk factor is having a weak immune system. This can happen if you have HIV, or have had a kidney transplant, or if you have a condition that affects your immune system, such as diabetes or thyroid disease. It can also be caused by a viral infection, such as chickenpox, shingles or measles.
Bacterial infections are the most common cause of epiglottitis, but other bacterial strains can cause it as well. These include Haemophilus influenzae type b (H. influenzae), Streptococcus pneumoniae and other strep bacteria, as well as some respiratory tract viruses such as adenovirus.
People at the highest risk of getting epiglottitis are babies and children. Routine vaccination against the bacteria HIB (Haemophilus influenzae type b) protects most children from this infection. However, other types of bacteria can still cause the illness in children and adults who have not been vaccinated.
The most common symptoms of epiglottitis are a bad sore throat, difficulty breathing, and drooling or hoarseness of voice. This illness can get worse very quickly, and is sometimes fatal.
If you have a child with epiglottitis, call an ambulance immediately. This will get them to hospital as soon as possible, where they will be monitored and treated. The treatment is to keep the airway open and prevent any complete blockage.
Doctors will monitor your oxygen levels and give you antibiotics if necessary to help treat the infection. They may also insert a breathing tube into the windpipe through the nose (orotracheal intubation). The tube stays in place until the swelling goes down.
Other treatments for swollen epiglottis may be given to help with breathing, such as giving fluids through a drip or a mask to supply extra oxygen. These may take a few days or longer to work, but they can be effective and help you recover more quickly.
In rare cases, doctors can do a needle cricothyroidotomy, putting a needle into the windpipe to create an emergency airway. This procedure is very effective and can save your life.
A broad-spectrum antibiotic can treat the infection and prevent it from spreading to other parts of your body. You’ll need to have blood and tissue cultures to determine the right drug for you, but the antibiotics should be started as soon as possible.
X-rays of your throat or neck can help diagnose the illness and show whether it is a bacterial or viral infection. The diagnosis should be made quickly, as the time it takes to get X-rays can delay tests and treatment.
Most cases of epiglottitis are treated by removing the swelling from your throat, taking out any food or liquid that has been stuck in the trachea and allowing you to breathe normally again. Then you’ll be given a course of antibiotics, and the inflammation will clear up.
