Have you ever heard of a strange feeling where your throat suddenly hurts, you can't swallow food, and you feel like you're suffocating? Maybe your little one has had something like this happen to them and you're very worried. At times like these, one thing we need to think about is this condition called Epiglottitis. This is a bit serious, so let's be aware of it.
What is Epiglottitis? Let's understand it simply!
Simply put, epiglottitis is the swelling of a small part of our throat called the epiglottis. Think of it this epiglottis is a thin flap of cartilage near the base of our tongue. When you eat or drink, it helps to direct those things directly into our windpipe (trachea) instead of into our windpipe. It acts like a gate.
So, if this epiglottis swells for some reason, that is, if there is `inflammation`, then that is when the problem starts. This is also called "acute epiglottitis" . This means that the symptoms appear very suddenly and severely . It becomes very difficult to breathe and swallow food. If not treated quickly, this swelling can completely block the airway and even be life-threatening.
This is very important: If you or someone in your family has these symptoms, you need to go to a hospital or emergency room (ETU) immediately. Do not even think about treating this at home. This is a medical emergency!
How common is this condition?
Actually, epiglottitis is not a very common disease, but it can occur in young children as well as adults.
In the past, before 1985, before the widespread use of the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, this disease was most common in children between the ages of 3 and 5. This is because the main cause of this disease in children was the bacteria called Hib. But, fortunately, Hib infections have decreased significantly because of the vaccine. Now, even in a country like America, it occurs in about 0.5 children per 100,000.
However, there have been reports of a recent increase in the incidence of this disease among adults . This is due to infections other than `(Hib)`. It is generally said that it occurs in between 1 and 4 out of 100,000 adults in the United States.
What are the symptoms of Epiglottitis? How do we recognize it?
Epiglottitis symptoms usually start suddenly and get worse quickly. Sometimes, it can take a few days for symptoms to fully appear in older children and adults. However, because young children's airways are so small, even if the epiglottis is slightly swollen, severe symptoms can appear suddenly without any warning .
The most common symptoms are these four that start with the letter "D":
- Dysphagia: This means that food and drink become very difficult to swallow. It feels like it's not going down your throat.
- Dysphonia: This means that the voice changes, becomes hoarse, or becomes difficult to speak.
- Drooling: This means saliva is dripping from the mouth. It is difficult to swallow, so saliva collects in the mouth and comes out spontaneously.
- Distress: This means difficulty breathing, feeling suffocated, and showing signs of oxygen deprivation.
In addition to these, there may be other symptoms:
- Severe pain in the throat.
- A fever of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit) or higher.
- A high-pitched whistling sound (stridor) when breathing.
- Opening the mouth and leaning forward to try to breathe. (This is a common symptom seen in young children.)
- Very restless, irritable. (This is also a major symptom seen in young children.)
Some of the symptoms of epiglottitis can be similar to other conditions, such as croup . However, croup is not always an emergency, like epiglottitis. That's why it's important to get an accurate diagnosis and get treatment quickly.
Special attention to symptoms in young children
As we have said before, the airways of young children are very delicate. Therefore, if they get this condition, it can get worse very quickly. Imagine, if you see your little one suddenly having difficulty breathing, with his mouth open, and leaning forward, it is not a good sign. In such a case, the best thing to do is not to panic and take him to a doctor as soon as possible.
What are the causes of Epiglottitis?
The main reason for this is bacterial infection.
- For children , the bacteria we talked about earlier , Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), is the main culprit.
- In adults , it can usually be caused by other types of bacteria that are not Hib, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus .
There may be other reasons:
- Viral infections: When we are infected with certain types of viruses, for example , the varicella-zoster virus that causes chickenpox, or the herpes simplex virus that causes herpes, our bodies become weak, and we are more likely to develop a secondary bacterial infection, which can lead to epiglottitis.
- Fungal infections: This can also be caused by fungal infections such as Candida, especially in people with weak immune systems.
- Injuries to the throat: This condition can occur if something suddenly hits the throat, if you are hit from the outside, if you swallow something strange, or if you drink a very hot liquid .
- Smoking: This can happen not only from regular cigarettes, but also from vaping, or from smoking drugs like crack cocaine.
- Chemical burns: If a toxic chemical enters the stomach, it can burn the throat and cause epiglottitis. This is called `corrosive epiglottitis`.
Is Epiglottitis contagious?
The important thing here is that the condition called epiglottitis is not directly transmitted from person to person. However, the germs that can cause this disease (for example, the Hib bacteria) can be transmitted from person to person.
Just because you get a germ like Hib doesn't mean you'll get epiglottitis. However, it can happen if the germ gets into your epiglottis and causes swelling. This germ is usually spread through droplets of saliva or mucus that are released when you cough or sneeze.
How do doctors diagnose Epiglottitis?
Because this is a potentially life-threatening medical emergency, doctors will first stabilize your breathing. They will only perform diagnostic tests after they have determined that it is completely safe to do so.
Once your condition has stabilized, doctors may perform these tests:
- Culture tests: A doctor takes a swab from your throat and sends it to a lab to look for bacteria or viruses.
- Blood tests: Various blood tests can be done to check the number of white blood cells (these are the ones that fight infection in our bodies) in your blood, or to check for bacteria or viruses in your blood.
- Laryngoscopy: This involves inserting a small camera at the end of a thin, flexible tube into the throat to examine the epiglottis and surrounding area.
- Imaging tests: An X-ray can show the extent of the swelling. Sometimes, on an X-ray, the swelling of the epiglottis can look like a thumbprint sign in an adult .
How is Epiglottitis treated?
If you are diagnosed with epiglottitis, treatment will begin immediately. At the hospital, the medical team will do the following:
- To fully restore your airway:
- First, an oxygen mask is placed over your mouth and nose to allow more air into your lungs.
- If the airway is blocked, a breathing tube can be inserted through the mouth into the windpipe.
- Very rarely, if this tube cannot be inserted through the mouth, a tube may need to be inserted through the neck into the windpipe. This is called a tracheostomy . However, this is not often necessary for people with epiglottitis.
- Giving fluids: You will be given as much fluid as you need through a tube placed into a vein (that's called an 'IV drip', which is what we call saline).
- Giving antibiotics: If you have a bacterial infection, your doctor will give you a broad-spectrum antibiotic through an IV. This medicine kills most of the bacteria that may be causing the infection. Once your culture results are back, you may be given a different antibiotic that targets the specific bacteria that caused the infection.
How can we protect ourselves from Epiglottitis?
While this cannot be completely prevented, there are things we can do to reduce the risk:
- Vaccinate your child: For children, the best protection is to get all the vaccines they need at the right age, especially the Hib vaccine. Because young children's immune systems are not yet fully developed, they can be very susceptible to Hib infections.
- Follow good hygiene practices: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth frequently.
- Protect yourself from infection: Be careful around people who are coughing and sneezing. Avoid getting close to them, or wear a mask.
- Avoiding things that can hurt your throat: Stay away from things that can hurt your throat, such as drinking very hot liquids and smoking.
What happens if you get epiglottitis? How long does it take to heal?
For most people, it takes about a week to fully recover from epiglottitis. You will need to stay in the hospital for about three to five days. However, you will start to feel better within the first few days. Even if a breathing tube is inserted, you will usually be able to breathe on your own within a few days.
If you have this condition due to an infection, it is very important to take antibiotics for the full course of treatment (usually about seven days) to completely kill the bacteria.
The most important thing to remember: Epiglottitis is a medical emergency! If you or someone you know has symptoms of Epiglottitis, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
When should we see a doctor? What should we do?
Epiglottitis can be life-threatening if the swelling blocks the airway. So, if you or someone you know thinks they have a swollen epiglottis, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Never do these things:
- Do not make someone with epiglottitis lie on their back.
- Don't put anything in their mouths.
These things can make it even harder to breathe.
Do this:
- Try to stay as calm as possible, as stress can make your throat feel even more constricted.
Important questions to ask the doctor
Before leaving the hospital, you can ask the doctor these questions:
- Why did I develop epiglottitis?
- How long do I need to take antibiotics?
- How should I take care of my throat during recovery?
- How long should I stay upright?
- Will I have to come back for follow-up visits?
- How can I reduce my risk of developing this disease in the future?
Finally, take-home message
If you or a loved one has symptoms of epiglottitis, don't delay in seeking emergency care. If you're not sure if it's epiglottitis or something else, remember that if someone is having trouble breathing or swallowing, it's wise to seek emergency care right away.
With prompt treatment, most people recover completely from Epiglottitis. However, early action is key. So, be aware of these symptoms and seek help as soon as possible. We wish you and your family a speedy recovery!
Epiglottitis , Epiglottitis, Sore throat, Difficulty breathing, Children's diseases, Emergency care, Hib vaccine, Bacterial infections
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