Epiglottitis is an infection of the epiglottis, caused by bacteria: H.influenzae type B. The latter particularly affects young children. This is a therapeutic emergency with potentially life-threatening consequences (airway obstruction).

Epiglottitis is an inflammation of the epiglottis (located at the top of the larynx), caused by a bacterial infection. The bacteria most often found in this type of infection is H.influenzae type B.

The prevalence (number of cases of the disease, among the total population at time t) of epiglottitis is much lower than that of laryngitis. In addition, its incidence has dropped considerably since the development of the haemophilic vaccine.

Epiglottitis particularly affects young children (around 3 years old).

Epiglottitis is caused by bacteria. The bacteria most often implicated is H.influenzae type B, which is found in the causes of meningitis.

Epiglottitis mainly affects young children, whose age is around 3 years.

Adults can also be affected by a bacterial infection causing epiglottitis. Only, in this context, it is a therapeutic emergency.

Complications of epiglottitis are mainly due to difficulty in eating, swallowing and breathing.

In adults as in children, it is a therapeutic emergency which must be taken care of early and quickly. This is because airway obstruction can endanger the patient’s vital prognosis.

The clinical signs and symptoms of such an infection are visible very quickly (within a few hours).

The general symptoms are:

• a pallor of the face
• an anguished state
• a feverish state, with fever between 39 ° and 40 ° C
• breathing difficulties, dyspnea
• development of dysphagia, difficulty swallowing with pain when swallowing
• the voice is “muffled”

Since epiglottitis is caused by a bacterial infection, the risk factor is exposure to the bacteria mainly involved: H.influenzae type B.

Following the findings of the clinical signs and atypical symptoms of epiglottitis, the consultation of a doctor must be early and rapid.

In the event of epiglottitis, certain procedures are contraindicated:

• the lying position;
• examination of the pharynx with lowering of the tongue
• taking x-rays

If the diagnosis is made, the child is then sent to intensive care. The management will be done through an intubation of the child. Following this, antibiotic therapy will be administered to fight the bacterial infection.