Open AccessEpiglottitis in a Vaccinated Child: A Lifesaving Diagnosis
Author(s) -
Atik A,
Krilis M
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
hong kong journal of emergency medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.145
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 2309-5407
pISSN - 1024-9079
DOI - 10.1177/102490791201900211
Subject(s) - epiglottitis , medicine , epiglottis , cellulitis , respiratory distress , haemophilus influenzae , teething , differential diagnosis , incidence (geometry) , pediatrics , airway , surgery , larynx , pathology , microbiology and biotechnology , physics , optics , biology , antibiotics
Epiglottitis is inflammation and cellulitis of the soft tissues above the glottis – the epiglottis, vallecula, arytenoid cartilage and aryepiglottic folds. It is a life‐threatening emergency which is most commonly caused by the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type b. The incidence of epiglottitis has declined dramatically since the introduction of the Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine and can thus be easily overlooked in the emergency setting. Our case highlights the importance of epiglottitis as a differential diagnosis in the child with acute respiratory distress.