Symptoms associated with epiglottitis include spasmodic coughing, drooling, sore throat, high fever, and difficult or raspy breathing. Intubation or tracheotomy may be necessary to aid in breathing until the epiglottic swelling subsides.
Intravenous antibiotics are necessary for treatment.
A bacterium, Haemophilus influenzae, is the most common cause of epiglottitis. Epiglottitis, caused by this organism, can now in most cases be prevented by vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae . This vaccine is recommended for children from two months to six years old.