Epiglottitis - Symptoms of epiglottitis
- Introduction
- Symptoms of epiglottitis
- Causes of epiglottitis
- Diagnosing epiglottitis
- Treating epiglottitis
- Preventing epiglottitis
- See what the doctor sees with Map of Medicine
The symptoms of epiglottitis usually develop quickly and get rapidly worse, although they can develop over a few days in older children and adults.
Symptoms include:
- a severe sore throat
- difficulty and pain when swallowing
- difficulty breathing, which may improve when leaning forwards
- breathing that sounds abnormal and high pitched (stridor)
- a high temperature (fever) of 38ºC (100.4ºF) or above
- irritability and restlessness
- muffled or hoarse voice
- drooling
The main symptoms of epiglottitis in young children are breathing difficulties, stridor and a hoarse voice. In adults and older children, the main signs are severe sore throat, swallowing difficulties and drooling.
When to seek medical advice
Dial 999 to request an ambulance if you suspect you, your child or someone you know has epiglottitis.
While waiting for an ambulance do not attempt to examine the throat, place anything inside the mouth or lie the person on their back because this can make their symptoms worse.
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