Acute epiglottitis

Question 1

What is acute epiglottitis?

Answer 1

life threatening emergency due to high risk of respiratory obstruction

Question 2

What pathogen causes acute epiglottitis?

Answer 2

Haemophilius influenza B

Question 3

What age is it most common in?

Answer 3

Children aged 1 - 6 years

Question 4

Onset of epiglottitis

Answer 4

Over hours
( vs Croup = over days)

Question 5

Respiratory features in acute epiglottitis (5)

Answer 5

1. Absent cough
2. Not able to drink
3. Open mouth - drooling saliva
4. Soft stridor
5. Can’t speak/ muffled

Question 6

Clinical picture of acute epiglottitis?

Answer 6

1. Fever > 38.5
2. Respiratory symptoms
3. No preceding coryza

Question 7

Mx of acute epiglottitis

Answer 7

Emergency hospital admission and tracheostomy along with IV antibiotics

Question 8

Prophylaxis for household

Answer 8

Rifampicin