Rapid Review: Epiglottitis

Epiglottitis

• Patient will be complaining of rapid onset of fever and dysphagia
• PE will show the patient leaning forward, drooling, inspiratory stridor
• Imaging will show “thumbprint” sign
• Most commonly caused by H. influenzae, Streptococcus
• Treatment is IV antibiotics and airway management

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Sample question:

A 5-year-old boy presents to the emergency department because of difficulty breathing that began a few hours prior to consult. The caretaker reports that he was apparently well until he developed a fever and sore throat yesterday. He has no cough. On examination he is noted to be flushed, maintaining a sitting position with his neck hyperextended and arms braced forward. He is also febrile and has low-pitched inspiratory stridor. Which of the following was the most common etiologic agent responsible for the boy’s disease in the pre-vaccination era?