Epiglottitis is inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis. In most cases it is caused by infection.
The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that sits beneath the tongue at the back of the throat. Its main function is to close over the windpipe (trachea) while you're eating to prevent food from entering your airways.
Symptoms of epiglottitis usually develop rapidly and include a severe sore throat, high temperature, drooling and difficulty swallowing.
A swollen epiglottis can be very serious as it's close to the windpipe and can restrict the oxygen supply to your lungs (respiratory failure). Epiglottitis is therefore regarded as a medical emergency.
Dial 999 to request an ambulance if your child has any of the symptoms of epiglottitis and is having problems breathing.
While waiting for an ambulance you should not attempt to examine your child's throat, place anything inside their mouth or lay them on their back because this may make their symptoms worse. It is important to keep them calm and to try not to cause panic or distress.
Left untreated, epiglottitis can be fatal. However, with appropriate treatment most children with epiglottitis will make a full recovery.
Treating epiglottitis
Epiglottitis is treated in hospital. The first thing the medical team will do is make sure that the airways are clear and your child is able to breathe. Once this has been achieved, the underlying infection will be treated with a course of antibiotics.
Read more about how epiglottitis is treated.
What causes epiglottitis?
Epiglottitis is usually caused by the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria, although it can also be caused by other types of bacteria or injury.
Who gets epiglottitis?
Epiglottitis usually affects children between the ages of two and seven. However, since the Hib vaccine was introduced during the 1990s as part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule, epiglottitis is now very rare in England. Read more about preventing epiglottitis.
Cases of epiglottitis still sometimes occur because it can be caused by bacteria other than Hib. Also, the Hib vaccine may not always be 100% effective and many adults will not have received the vaccination.
It is estimated that each year in England there is one case of epiglottitis in every 200,000 children, and one case in every 100,000 adults. Deaths from epiglottitis are also very rare and occur in less than 1 in 100 cases.
Read more about the causes of epiglottitis.
