Acute Epiglottitis

exp date isn't null, but text field is

Description

Epiglottitis is inflammation of the epiglottis. It’s a medical emergency that may result in death if not treated quickly due to rapid airway obstruction.
The incidence of epiglottitis due to has reduced due to Hib vaccine in the Extended Program on Immunization Programme.

Signs and Symptoms

• Sore throat with difficulty in speaking
• Difficulty in breathing
• Stridor
• Fever
• Drooling of saliva, difficulty in swallowing or inability to drink.
• Child prefer to sit in the Tripod position.

Treatment

Supportive:

• Treatment of patients with epiglottitis is directed to relieving the airway obstruction and eradicating the
  infectious agent.
• Keep the child calm in a seated or leaning forward position (TRIPOD), and provide humidified blow-by
  oxygen, with close monitoring. Avoid laying the child in supine position.
• Avoid examining the throat if the signs are typical, to avoid precipitating obstruction.
• Elective intubation is the best treatment if there is severe obstruction but may be very difficult due to
  severe swelling; consider tracheostomy for airway management.

Pharmacological:

• IV antibiotics when the airway is safe: Ceftriaxone at 80 mg/kg once daily for 5 days.
• Paracetamol 15mg/kg 6 hourly orally or Ibuprofen 10mg/kg 8 hourly when airway is secure.