Epiglottitis - Diagnosing epiglottitis
- Introduction
- Symptoms of epiglottitis
- Causes of epiglottitis
- Diagnosing epiglottitis
- Treating epiglottitis
- Preventing epiglottitis
- See what the doctor sees with Map of Medicine
In suspected cases of epiglottitis, the medical team's first priority is to ensure that you can breathe properly and that the lungs are getting enough oxygen.
Any tests that need to be done will only be carried out once this has been achieved. See treating epiglottitis for more information.
Do not attempt to check the throat yourself because it can sometimes restrict the airway or even stop breathing altogether.
Fibre-optic laryngoscopy
A fibre-optic laryngoscopy is a procedure that uses a flexible tube with a camera attached to one end (laryngoscope) to examine your throat.
Fibre-optic laryngoscopies are usually only carried out in adults and older children. This is because younger children may find it difficult to understand why the procedure is being done, which could make them very anxious and increase their breathing difficulties.
Other tests
A throat swap may be taken and tested to determine whether any bacteria or viruses are present.
Blood tests may also be carried out to check the number of white blood cells (a high number indicates the presence of an infection). They can also help to identify any traces of bacteria or viruses in the blood.
An X-ray or a computerised tomography (CT) scan is sometimes used to check the level of swelling.
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