What are the signs and symptoms of epiglottitis?
Epiglottitis often begins with a fever and severe (very bad) sore throat and neck. Other signs and symptoms are as follows: • Breathing problems. Epiglottitis causes your child to have difficulty getting enough air. Your child may push out his chin with his mouth open and tongue out to help with breathing. He may sit up and lean forward, or want to be held. • Drooling. This may occur because your child has trouble swallowing or cannot swallow at all. • Harsh and raspy (loud) breathing. • Pain when swallowing. • Restlessness and anxiousness (feeling of fear). • Voice changes. These include sounding hoarse or having a soft voice that is difficult to hear. How is epiglottitis treated? Epiglottitis cannot be treated at home. It is a medical emergency that should be treated immediately by a caregiver. Your child’s caregiver will want you to take your child to the hospital right away. Try to stay calm. Your child’s breathing may get worse if he is afraid and crying. Antibiotic medicine may b
