In suspected cases of epiglottitis, the medical team's first priority is to ensure that your child can breathe properly and that the lungs are getting enough oxygen.
Any tests that need to be done will only be carried out once this has been achieved. Read more about how the airways are cleared when treating epiglottitis.
Do not attempt to check the throat yourself because it can sometimes restrict the airway or even stop breathing altogether.
Fibre-optic laryngoscopy
A fibre-optic laryngoscopy is a procedure that uses a flexible tube with a camera attached to one end (laryngoscope) to examine your throat.
Fibre-optic laryngoscopies are usually only carried out in adults and older children. This is because younger children may find it difficult to understand why the procedure is being done, and it could make them very anxious and increase their breathing difficulties.
Other tests
Blood tests will usually be carried out to check the number of white blood cells (a high number indicates the presence of an infection). They can also help to identify any traces of bacteria or viruses in the blood.
In rare cases, a small sample of tissue (a biopsy) may also be taken from the epiglottis and tested to determine whether any bacteria or viruses are present.
If the diagnosis remains inconclusive an X-ray or a computerised tomography (CT) scan may be recommended.
