About this topic
Your epiglottis is a stiff but flexible piece of tissue at the back of your tongue. It keeps food from going down your windpipe when you swallow. It is a very serious problem if this tissue becomes irritated and swollen. Your airway may become blocked. Then, you will have trouble breathing. This problem does not happen as much as it used to in the U.S. There is a vaccine for the germs that often cause this illness. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take all drugs that your doctor tells you to take.
- Rest and drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluids each day.
- Be sure that your vaccines are up to date.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
With this problem, you may need to have a breathing tube and be on a ventilator for a short time. After treatment is done and you rest during your recovery, your activity should not be limited. Ask your doctor what is safe for you to do. ‚
Will there be any other care needed?
Sometimes, the infection can spread to other parts. This may cause other problems that need treated. Some of them are meningitis, pneumonia, or blood infections. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Infection may spread to your spinal fluid, lungs, or blood
- Very bad breathing problems
- Spasms in the throat that suddenly close airway
- Airway becomes totally blocked from swelling
- Death
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Make sure your childs vaccines are up to date. The Hib vaccine protects against the most common germ that causes this problem.
- If you have a family member with this problem, let your doctor know. This problem is easy to spread from person to person. You may need to be tested and treated.
- Always keep your hands clean using soap and water or hand sanitizer. Do not share personal items where germs can be spread.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Problems breathing, especially if you have to sit up and lean forward to breathe better
- High-pitched sounds when breathing
- Skin is bluish in color
- Trouble swallowing
- Drooling
- Throat is sore with a fever and a hoarse voice
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
If you suspect you or your child has this problem, do not try to look in the throat by using a tongue depressor yourself. This can make the problem worse. ‚
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what I can do to help avoid passing the infection to others.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have trouble breathing or swallowing, I am drooling, or I am making a high pitched sound when breathing.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Pediatrics ‚
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/ear-nose-throat/Pages/Epiglottitis.aspx ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/epiglottitis/pages/introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚