Rapid Review: Epiglottitis
- Patient will be complaining of rapid onset of fever and dysphagia
- PE will show the patient leaning forward, drooling, inspiratory stridor
- Imaging will show “thumbprint” sign
- Most commonly caused by H. influenzae, Streptococcus
- Treatment is IV antibiotics and airway management
A 5-year-old boy presents to the emergency department because of difficulty breathing that began a few hours prior to consult. The caretaker reports that he was apparently well until he developed a fever and sore throat yesterday. He has no cough. On examination he is noted to be flushed, maintaining a sitting position with his neck hyperextended and arms braced forward. He is also febrile and has low-pitched inspiratory stridor. Which of the following was the most common etiologic agent responsible for the boy’s disease in the pre-vaccination era?