Question 1

what causes acute epiglottitis in children?

Accepted Answer

Please see below.: In epiglottitis, the epiglottis (which comes off the back of the tongue deep in the throat) and surrounding area is infected with bacteria and swollen. Symptoms can include sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, muffled voice, and airway obstruction (life-threatening). If you suspect epiglottitis in someone, they need to be seen at the hospital immediately.

Question 2

must i seek immediate help if my child has acute epiglottitis?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely: This is very rare in immunized children. However, if you suspect this, your child should be seen in an emergency department. Epiglottitis is life threatening.

Question 3

how can i prevent acute epiglottitis again?

Accepted Answer

Please see below.: Most people only have it once; someone with recurrences needs to have their immune system evaluated.  Anyone closely exposed to someone with epiglottitis needs to see their doctor for preventive antibiotics.  Non-infectious epiglottitis is often caused by heat damage (i.e., smoking), swallowing non-food items; avoiding these actions decreases risk.

Question 4

how can i prevent my child's acute epiglottitis from coming back?

Accepted Answer

Nothing other than..: Getting full doses of pneumococcal vaccines.  Acute epiglottitis became a rare disease entity since universal vaccination against hemophilus influenzae type b was instituted in early 1990's.  Sporadic cases of acute epiglottitis have been reported since then, which are caused by streptococcus pneumoniae or by group a strep.

Question 5

acute epiglottitis?  i was in hospital for a week with this what can i do so i will never have it again?

Accepted Answer

Rare in adults : Epiglottitis used to be mainly childhood disease from 3 to 6 yrs of age, caused by bacteria hemophilus influenza. Now children are vaccinated against this organism. In adults besides hemophilus, streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), 
, streptococcus a, b and c, viral, urticaria etc. The vaccine against hemphilus  generally not given to adults but can be given in immune deficient individuals.

Question 6

can you explain epiglottitis?

Accepted Answer

Epiglottitis: Epiglottitis is infection of the epiglottis. During this process, the epiglottis becomes inflamed and swollen causing a croup type of cough. It is caused by bacteria called hemophilus influenzae type b or hib. It is a severe infection and often causes difficulty or even stoppage of breathing which necessitates endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy (tube inserted into the windpipe).

Question 7

how can epiglottitis in children be treated?

Accepted Answer

Please see below.: Most of the time, someone with epiglottitis must be intubated (have a tube put in the airway to keep it open) until the swelling resolves, and all patients with this condition need to be in the icu.  After bacterial cultures are taken, IV antibiotics are started.  Fever relievers may also be needed.

Question 8

what are symptoms of epiglottitis in children?

Accepted Answer

Please see below.: In epiglottitis, the epiglottis (which comes off the back of the tongue deep in the throat) and surrounding area is infected and swollen.  This can completely block the airway, which can cause death. Symptoms can also include sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, and muffled voice. If you suspect epiglottitis in someone, they need to be seen at the hospital immediately.

Question 9

how do you know if you have epiglottitis or not?

Accepted Answer

Epiglottitis: Epiglottitis is possible if you have hoarse voice, sore throat, trouble swallowing, drooling, problem breathing and fever.  This is a very serious infection that needs urgent evaluation and treatment at the ed. If you think you have it, don't delay and go to the ed. Would you rather die than get surgery?

Question 10

epiglottitis, pneumonia go together?

Accepted Answer

Different diseases: Epiglottitis is usually (but not always) a childhood illness, generally caused by hemophilus influenzae, which can be life-threatening and is an infectious disease emergency.  It could conceivably lead to pneumonia, but the latter is a disease of lung tissue which occurs regularly in the absence of epiglottal infection.

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Doctor answers about:

Acute epiglottitis

A member asked:

What causes acute epiglottitis in children?

A member asked:

Must i seek immediate help if my child has acute epiglottitis?

A member asked:

How can i prevent acute epiglottitis again?

A member asked:

How can i prevent my child's acute epiglottitis from coming back?

A member asked:

Acute epiglottitis? i was in hospital for a week with this what can i do so i will never have it again?

A member asked:

Can you explain epiglottitis?

A member asked:

How can epiglottitis in children be treated?

A member asked:

What are symptoms of epiglottitis in children?

A member asked:

How do you know if you have epiglottitis or not?

A member asked:

Epiglottitis, pneumonia go together?

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