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Epiglottitis - Symptom

Alternative Names

Supraglottitis

Symptoms:

Epiglottitis begins with a high fever and sore throat. Other symptoms may include:

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)

Signs and tests:

Epiglottitis is a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical help. Do not use a tongue depressor (tongue blade) to try to examine the throat at home, as this may make the condition worse.

The health care provider will examine the voice box (larynx) using either a small mirror held against the back of the throat or a viewing tube called a laryngoscope. (See: laryngoscopy) The exam may show a swollen and red epiglottis.

Tests used to diagnose epiglottitis may include:

Blood culture or throat culture -- may show H. influenzae or other bacteria
Complete blood count (CBC) -- may show a high number of white blood cells
Neck x-rays -- may show a swollen epiglottis

Haemophilus influenza organism

Throat anatomy

Haemophilus influenza organism

Reviewed last on: 6/3/2008
Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Sobol SE. Epiglottitis and Croup. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. June 2008; 41(3); 551-566.

Alcaide ML. Pharyngitis and epiglottitis. Infect Dis Clin North Am. June 2007; 21(2): 449-69, vii.

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