What causes epiglottitis?

Epiglottitis: Children are more vulnerable to developing epiglottitis. This is an infection of the epiglottis (that cartilaginous structure at the back of the tongue that prevents food from dropping into the windpipe) by bacteria called hemophilus influenzae type b (hib). Fortunately enough, this infection has almost disappeared ever since the introduction of the hib vaccine.

Mostly infection: Very rare infection of epiglottis, flap of elastic cartilage tissue covered with mucous membrane, attached to the entrance of the larynx, blocking entrance of food into airway when swallowing. Since vaccination for hemophilus influenza even rarer.Most common organism causing epiglottitis now is streptococcus pneumoniae. Other organisms include parainfluenzae, varicella-zoster, herpes simplex.