Epiglottitis is inflammation of the cartilage that covers the trachea (windpipe).

See also: Croup

Epiglottitis is a life-threatening disease. The epiglottis is the piece of cartilage at the back of the tongue that closes off the windpipe when swallowing. Without an epiglottis, food could enter the airways, and you would cough or choke after swallowing. Epiglottitis causes swelling of the epiglottis. Breathing problems increases rapidly as the epiglottis swells. Epiglottitis can get rapidly worse.

Inflammation of the epiglottis is usually caused by the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae), although it may be caused by other bacteria or viruses. Upper respiratory infections can lead to epiglottitis. Medicines or diseases that weaken the immune system can make adults more prone to epiglottitis.

Epiglottitis is most common in children between 2 and 6 years old. Rarely, epiglottitis can occur in adults, and it may be easily overlooked in such patients.

The occurrence of epiglotti has decreased steadily in the United States since the H. influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine became a routine childhood immunization in the late 1980s.

• Drooling
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty breathing (patient may need to sit upright and lean slightly forward to breathe)
• Noisy breathing (stridor)
• Voice changes (hoarseness)
• Chills, shaking
• Cyanosis (blue skin coloring)

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 larynx (voice box) using either a small mirror held against the back of the throat or a viewing tube called a laryngoscope. This procedure, called laryngoscopy, may show a swollen and red epiglottis. Anesthesia may be needed to do a laryngoscopy if a breathing tube is necessary.

Tests used to diagnose epiglottitis may include:

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