Last reviewed: 24 Jan 2021
Last updated: 07 Jul 2020
Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- presence of risk factors
- non-vaccination with Hib vaccine
- sore throat
- dysphagia
- difficulty in controlling secretions
- toxic appearance
- acute distress
- fever
- tripod position
- difficulty breathing
Other diagnostic factors
- decreased oral intake
- muffled voice
- stridor
- irritability
- drooling
Diagnostic investigations
Investigations to consider
- FBC
- cultures of blood/supraglottis (epiglottis)
Treatment algorithm
Contributors
Authors

VP, Chief Quality and Safety Officer
Children's National Health System
Washington
DC
Disclosures
RKS declares that he has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Department of Surgery - Otolaryngology Service
Washington
DC
Disclosures
SB declares that he has no competing interests.
Associate Professor
Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx
NY
Disclosures
SP declares that he has no competing interests.
Ochsner Health System
Department of Otolaryngology
New Orleans
LA
Disclosures
KR declares that he has no competing interests.
Catalina ENT
Tucson
AZ
Disclosures
DP declares that he has no competing interests.
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