Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen to Call 911Seeing the EpiglottiscausesSymptomsTreatmentHealing

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

When to Call 911

Seeing the Epiglottis

causes

Symptoms

Treatment

Healing

Epiglottitisisinflammationand swelling of the epiglottis—the tissue at the base of the tongue that covers the windpipe. It can be a life-threatening condition if left untreated. Your epiglottis is mainly made up ofcartilage tissue. It behaves like a valve to prevent foods and liquids from entering your windpipe.

The cartilage tissue of the epiglottis can become swollen or infected. The swelling might become severe enough to block the airway. If this happens, you need emergency medical care to prevent airway blockage.

Epiglottitis is more common in children but can also affect adults. Causes of epiglottitis include infections and injuries or burns to the throat.

The article covers when to call 911 for epiglottitis, the anatomy and function of the epiglottis, epiglottitis common causes and symptoms, and more.

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A child in a hospital has an intravenous line and ID bracelets

When to Call 911 for Epiglottitis

Epiglottitis can be a life-threatening condition that requires emergency treatment. You should seek immediate medical attention or call 911 if an adult or child is experiencing breathing troubles.

Breathing difficulties are a late sign of epiglottitis.This is because swelling of the epiglottis causes the airway to close or be completely blocked off. Either scenario could be fatal.

What Happens After You Call 911?

Can You See Your Epiglottis?

The epiglottis is the leaf-shaped flap in the throat at the base of the tongue that keeps food and water from entering thetrachea(windpipe) and the lungs.The epiglottis will stay open while you breathe, but when you swallow, it directs swallowed foods and liquids toward theesophagus(the muscular tube that delivers food from your mouth to your stomach).

Made of elastic cartilage and encased in a mucous membrane, the epiglottis is attached to the end of thelarynx(voice box).It pushes up and backward behind your tongue andhyoid bone—the U-shaped bone at the front of the neck supporting the tongue and the larynx.

While rare to see, the epiglottis can be visible in people with a large epiglottis or a shallow (low-depth) throat.A visible epiglottis would be generally asymptomatic (no symptoms) and not require medical or surgical intervention. This is most often seen in children, but some reported incidences in adults have been reported.

A visible epiglottis is usually nothing to worry about if there are no breathing or swallowing problems.

Common Epiglottitis Causes

Bacterial, fungal, and viralinfectionsare the most common cause of epiglottitis. The most common infectious causes areHaemophilus influenzae,Streptococcus pneumoniaeand other strep species, andrespiratory tract viruses.There have also been cases of epiglottitis linked toCOVID-19.

It is also possible to experience epiglottitis following heat damage. Thermal epiglottitis can occur after ingesting hot liquids or eating very hot foods.

There are also incidences of thermal epiglottitis related to recreational drug use.This could occur from accidentally inhaling heated objects, such as broken crack pipes or tips of marijuana cigarettes. E-cigarettes can also cause epiglottitis, especially in adolescents.

Blunt trauma to the throat, a throat blockage, and an allergic reaction are additional causes.Allergic reactionscan cause the epiglottis to become inflamed and swell up.

COVID-19 and EpiglottitisCOVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness associated with many complications within and outside the respiratory tract. According to a 2021 report, COVID-19 has been found to affect the larynx, including the epiglottis.Epiglottitis linked to severe COVID-19 can reduce the ability forintubation, leading to a need for an emergent surgical airway.

COVID-19 and Epiglottitis

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness associated with many complications within and outside the respiratory tract. According to a 2021 report, COVID-19 has been found to affect the larynx, including the epiglottis.Epiglottitis linked to severe COVID-19 can reduce the ability forintubation, leading to a need for an emergent surgical airway.

Risk Factors

Anyone can develop epiglottitis, but there are factors that increase your risk for the condition.

Such risk factors include:

Recognizing Epiglottitis Symptoms

Epiglottitis can appear suddenly and worsen quickly. The condition’s most common symptoms are sometimes referred to as the “four Ds.”

The four Ds are:

Additional symptoms of the condition might include:

Is Epiglottitis Contagious?If epiglottitis results from a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection, the infection might be contagious. An infection that has led to epiglottitis may be transmitted from person to person. However, epiglottitis is a rare complication of infections, so it is unlikely to occur in the person acquiring the infection.Bacterial epiglottitis is increasingly rare in children vaccinated with the HiB vaccine.However, unvaccinated children may still acquire the bacterial infection and develop life-threatening epiglottitis. Epiglottitis cannot be passed to others if it results from an injury, smoking, or illicit drug use.

Is Epiglottitis Contagious?

If epiglottitis results from a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection, the infection might be contagious. An infection that has led to epiglottitis may be transmitted from person to person. However, epiglottitis is a rare complication of infections, so it is unlikely to occur in the person acquiring the infection.Bacterial epiglottitis is increasingly rare in children vaccinated with the HiB vaccine.However, unvaccinated children may still acquire the bacterial infection and develop life-threatening epiglottitis. Epiglottitis cannot be passed to others if it results from an injury, smoking, or illicit drug use.

If epiglottitis results from a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection, the infection might be contagious. An infection that has led to epiglottitis may be transmitted from person to person. However, epiglottitis is a rare complication of infections, so it is unlikely to occur in the person acquiring the infection.

Bacterial epiglottitis is increasingly rare in children vaccinated with the HiB vaccine.However, unvaccinated children may still acquire the bacterial infection and develop life-threatening epiglottitis. Epiglottitis cannot be passed to others if it results from an injury, smoking, or illicit drug use.

Epiglottitis Treatment

Epiglottitis is considered a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention to open the airway despite the degree of respiratory distress. According to a 2016Pediatrics in Reviewreport, epiglottitis without an artificial airway has a 6% risk for pediatric death compared to 1% without an artificial airway.

Hospital treatment for epiglottitis begins with restoring the airway to full function. This starts with placing an oxygen mask over the mouth and nose so the lungs can get air. If air passages are blocked, a tube will be placed down the throat to deliver oxygen to the lungs.

In severe cases, atracheostomy(surgical opeing in the neck and trachea) might be necessary, requiring a small surgical incision in the windpipe.

Additional treatment for epiglottitis might include:

Complete recovery from epiglottis is possible, and the condition is rarely fatal.How quickly an adult or child recovers will depend on how soon medical treatment begins and if it is administered in a hospital setting.

Epiglottitis Healing

Epiglottitis is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention. It is not a condition that goes away on its own. Without treatment, it can progress to a life-threatening airway obstruction.

Once treatment begins and the airway is safe, the disease typically stops progressing within 24 hours.Complete recovery might take longer and will depend on the severity of symptoms and the cause, but most people can heal and recover fully.

Summary

Epiglottitis is inflammation of the epiglottis—the tissue that covers the windpipe. The condition can be life-threatening if left untreated. Causes include infections and injury or trauma to the throat.

Epiglottitis is an emergency medical condition that requires immediate treatment to avoid life-threatening airway obstruction. Most people recover from epiglottitis, but the condition might be fatal without treatment. Treatment aims to restore airway function, improve healing through IV fluids, treat the infection, and reduce swelling.

12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lichtor JL, Roche Rodriguez M, Aaronson NL, Spock T, Goodman TR, Baum ED.Epiglottitis.Anesthesiology. 2016;124(6):1404-1407. doi:10.1097/aln.0000000000001125Baiu I, Melendez E.Epiglottitis.JAMA.2019;321(19):1946. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.3468Dewan K, Chhetri DK.Epiglottic dysfunction. Dysphagia evaluation and management in otolaryngology. 2019:123-128. doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-56930-9.00016JamaluddinAhmed F, Shinohara AL, Bonifécio da Silva SM, Andreo JC, Rodrigues Ade C.Visible epiglottis in children.Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2014;7(3):223-224. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1271Smith C, Mobarakai O, Sahra S, Twito J, Mobarakai N.Case report: epiglottitis in the setting of COVID-19.IDCases. 2021;24:e01116. doi:10.1016/j.idcr.2021.e01116Ramlatchan SR, Kramer N, Ganti L.Back to basics: a case of adult epiglottitis.Cureus. 2018;10(10):e3475. doi:10.7759/cureus.3475Kudchadkar SR, Hamrick JT, Mai CL, Berkowitz I, Tunkel D.The heat is on… thermal epiglottitis as a late presentation of airway steam injury.J Emerg Med. 2014;46(2):e43-e46. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.08.033Bozzella MJ, Magyar M, DeBiasi RL, Ferrer K.Epiglottitis associated with intermittent e-cigarette use: the vagaries of vaping toxicity.Pediatrics. 2020;145(3):e20192399. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2399Dowdy RAE, Cornelius BW.Medical management of epiglottitis.Anesth Prog. 2020;67(2):90-97. doi:10.2344/anpr-66-04-08Kojima K, Rosenberg M, English BK. Case 3:Sore throat and fever in a 4-year-old boy.Pediatr Rev. 2016;37(9):397-398. doi:10.1542/pir.2016-0006 (Keep the non-doi url as it goes to the full text)Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Epiglottitis.Woods CR. UpToDate.Epiglottitis (supraglottitis): management.

12 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lichtor JL, Roche Rodriguez M, Aaronson NL, Spock T, Goodman TR, Baum ED.Epiglottitis.Anesthesiology. 2016;124(6):1404-1407. doi:10.1097/aln.0000000000001125Baiu I, Melendez E.Epiglottitis.JAMA.2019;321(19):1946. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.3468Dewan K, Chhetri DK.Epiglottic dysfunction. Dysphagia evaluation and management in otolaryngology. 2019:123-128. doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-56930-9.00016JamaluddinAhmed F, Shinohara AL, Bonifécio da Silva SM, Andreo JC, Rodrigues Ade C.Visible epiglottis in children.Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2014;7(3):223-224. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1271Smith C, Mobarakai O, Sahra S, Twito J, Mobarakai N.Case report: epiglottitis in the setting of COVID-19.IDCases. 2021;24:e01116. doi:10.1016/j.idcr.2021.e01116Ramlatchan SR, Kramer N, Ganti L.Back to basics: a case of adult epiglottitis.Cureus. 2018;10(10):e3475. doi:10.7759/cureus.3475Kudchadkar SR, Hamrick JT, Mai CL, Berkowitz I, Tunkel D.The heat is on… thermal epiglottitis as a late presentation of airway steam injury.J Emerg Med. 2014;46(2):e43-e46. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.08.033Bozzella MJ, Magyar M, DeBiasi RL, Ferrer K.Epiglottitis associated with intermittent e-cigarette use: the vagaries of vaping toxicity.Pediatrics. 2020;145(3):e20192399. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2399Dowdy RAE, Cornelius BW.Medical management of epiglottitis.Anesth Prog. 2020;67(2):90-97. doi:10.2344/anpr-66-04-08Kojima K, Rosenberg M, English BK. Case 3:Sore throat and fever in a 4-year-old boy.Pediatr Rev. 2016;37(9):397-398. doi:10.1542/pir.2016-0006 (Keep the non-doi url as it goes to the full text)Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Epiglottitis.Woods CR. UpToDate.Epiglottitis (supraglottitis): management.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Lichtor JL, Roche Rodriguez M, Aaronson NL, Spock T, Goodman TR, Baum ED.Epiglottitis.Anesthesiology. 2016;124(6):1404-1407. doi:10.1097/aln.0000000000001125Baiu I, Melendez E.Epiglottitis.JAMA.2019;321(19):1946. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.3468Dewan K, Chhetri DK.Epiglottic dysfunction. Dysphagia evaluation and management in otolaryngology. 2019:123-128. doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-56930-9.00016JamaluddinAhmed F, Shinohara AL, Bonifécio da Silva SM, Andreo JC, Rodrigues Ade C.Visible epiglottis in children.Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2014;7(3):223-224. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1271Smith C, Mobarakai O, Sahra S, Twito J, Mobarakai N.Case report: epiglottitis in the setting of COVID-19.IDCases. 2021;24:e01116. doi:10.1016/j.idcr.2021.e01116Ramlatchan SR, Kramer N, Ganti L.Back to basics: a case of adult epiglottitis.Cureus. 2018;10(10):e3475. doi:10.7759/cureus.3475Kudchadkar SR, Hamrick JT, Mai CL, Berkowitz I, Tunkel D.The heat is on… thermal epiglottitis as a late presentation of airway steam injury.J Emerg Med. 2014;46(2):e43-e46. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.08.033Bozzella MJ, Magyar M, DeBiasi RL, Ferrer K.Epiglottitis associated with intermittent e-cigarette use: the vagaries of vaping toxicity.Pediatrics. 2020;145(3):e20192399. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2399Dowdy RAE, Cornelius BW.Medical management of epiglottitis.Anesth Prog. 2020;67(2):90-97. doi:10.2344/anpr-66-04-08Kojima K, Rosenberg M, English BK. Case 3:Sore throat and fever in a 4-year-old boy.Pediatr Rev. 2016;37(9):397-398. doi:10.1542/pir.2016-0006 (Keep the non-doi url as it goes to the full text)Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Epiglottitis.Woods CR. UpToDate.Epiglottitis (supraglottitis): management.

Lichtor JL, Roche Rodriguez M, Aaronson NL, Spock T, Goodman TR, Baum ED.Epiglottitis.Anesthesiology. 2016;124(6):1404-1407. doi:10.1097/aln.0000000000001125

Baiu I, Melendez E.Epiglottitis.JAMA.2019;321(19):1946. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.3468

Dewan K, Chhetri DK.Epiglottic dysfunction. Dysphagia evaluation and management in otolaryngology. 2019:123-128. doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-56930-9.00016

JamaluddinAhmed F, Shinohara AL, Bonifécio da Silva SM, Andreo JC, Rodrigues Ade C.Visible epiglottis in children.Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2014;7(3):223-224. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1271

Smith C, Mobarakai O, Sahra S, Twito J, Mobarakai N.Case report: epiglottitis in the setting of COVID-19.IDCases. 2021;24:e01116. doi:10.1016/j.idcr.2021.e01116

Ramlatchan SR, Kramer N, Ganti L.Back to basics: a case of adult epiglottitis.Cureus. 2018;10(10):e3475. doi:10.7759/cureus.3475

Kudchadkar SR, Hamrick JT, Mai CL, Berkowitz I, Tunkel D.The heat is on… thermal epiglottitis as a late presentation of airway steam injury.J Emerg Med. 2014;46(2):e43-e46. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.08.033

Bozzella MJ, Magyar M, DeBiasi RL, Ferrer K.Epiglottitis associated with intermittent e-cigarette use: the vagaries of vaping toxicity.Pediatrics. 2020;145(3):e20192399. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2399

Dowdy RAE, Cornelius BW.Medical management of epiglottitis.Anesth Prog. 2020;67(2):90-97. doi:10.2344/anpr-66-04-08

Kojima K, Rosenberg M, English BK. Case 3:Sore throat and fever in a 4-year-old boy.Pediatr Rev. 2016;37(9):397-398. doi:10.1542/pir.2016-0006 (Keep the non-doi url as it goes to the full text)

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Epiglottitis.

Woods CR. UpToDate.Epiglottitis (supraglottitis): management.

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