SOre Throat - Dr. Agarwal

Epiglottitis?

• If you are VERY worried about epiglottitis (patient is drooling, in tripod position, etc), LEAVE THEM ALONE. Call ENT & Anesthesia and get them to the OR.

• If you are CONSIDERING epiglottitis, you can consider nasopharyngoscopy to look for gross abnormalities. Still a good idea to call ENT to help you out.

• A lateral neck x-ray isn't all that helpful in epiglottitis; it has low sensitivity and low specificity. Don't hang your hat on it.

• Cough is rare in epiglottitis. Drooling and a preference to sit up is not.

•   "Croup" that doesn't respond to croup therapy? Consider bacterial tracheitis.

- While epiglottitis is very rare in pediatrics in the era of immunizations, the rate is stable in adults.

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