What is epiglottitis?
Epiglottitis is inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis.
The epiglottis sits at the top of the windpipe and stops food and liquid from getting into the windpipe when a child swallows. If it’s inflamed and swollen, the epiglottis can reduce a child’s air flow. This makes it very hard for a child to breathe.
Epiglottitis is caused by bacteria called Haemophilus influenzae type B.
Epiglottitis happens mainly in toddlers and preschoolers, but it can happen at any age.
Epiglottitis is much less common than it used to be because of widespread immunisation against Haemophilus influenzae type B.
What are the symptoms of epiglottitis?
Epiglottitis can start very quickly in children who are well. Within a few hours children can be dangerously sick.
If your child has epiglottitis, they might:
- look pale and unwell
- have saliva drooling from their open mouth
- have a sore throat
- have a hoarse voice
- have difficulty swallowing
- have difficulty breathing or breathe with a soft, snoring noise
- sit well forward and refuse to lie down because it’s even harder for them to breathe in that position
- be irritable, restless, uncomfortable and upset
- feel hot with a fever.
Epiglottitis is a medical emergency. If you think your child has epiglottitis, call 000 for an ambulance or go to a hospital emergency department immediately.
How is epiglottitis diagnosed?
There are no specific tests for epiglottitis. A doctor can diagnose epiglottitis based on the symptoms and how quickly they started in a previously well child.
If your child has epiglottitis, they might have tests to check how swollen their windpipe is.
How is epiglottitis treated?
Try to keep your child calm while you’re waiting for medical help. When children cry, they breathe harder. This can make any airway blockages worse.
In hospital, your child will be admitted to intensive care. Your child will probably have a breathing tube inserted into their nose to help them breathe. And your child will get antibiotics directly into a vein through a drip.
Children who are treated quickly and have no complications usually make a full recovery.
Can you stop your child from getting epiglottitis?
You can prevent epiglottitis by having your child immunised against Haemophilus influenzae type b. This is commonly called the Hib immunisation and is available to all Australian children through the National Immunisation Program.
If children are fully immunised, it stops them from getting epiglottitis and other potentially fatal diseases.