Understanding acute epiglottis

 Acute epiglottis 

Acute epiglottis is an inflamation of the epiglottis with Hemophilus influenza type B.

Symptoms of acute epiglottis 

1. High grade fever
2. Drooling of saliva
3. Stridor
4. Toxic look
5. Not moving the neck

It is an emergency 💥💥🔥

Management 

1. Lateral x-ray of the neck(thumb print sign).
2. The child should be in an ICU because of the risk of respiratory arrest.
3. Intubation:the child should be intubated by a skilled anaesthetist then :take blood culture,CBC and swab form the epiglottis.
4. Consider other foci of infection like pneumonia, meningitis or septic arthritis.
5. Start parenteral antibiotics: cefotaxime or ceftriaxone or meropnem

Antibiotics should be continued for at least 10 days.

Chemoprophylaxis 

Rifampin 20mg/kg orally once per day for 4 days for all house hold members.

Here is a video summarizing acute epiglottis: