clinical features
Last reviewed 01/2018
Possible clinical features include:
- usually occurs in a child aged 2 years old or less; by comparison, acute epiglottitis is normally seen in children between 2 and 6 years old
- may have a previous history of croup
- the condition is slow onset - acute epiglottitis is of fast onset
- stridor - generally inspiratory; may be biphasic
- barking cough or "croupy" cough
- no dysphagia - usually present in acute epiglottitis
- increased temperature
- child lying down - not upright as in acute epiglottitis
- the child has a hoarse voice
- dyspnoea - variable
- pink colour
- the child is struggling - not quiet as in acute epiglottitis
- symptoms
worsens at night
- peak between 24 and 48 hours
- usually resolves within 7 days.
- agitation and crying aggravates symptoms
- children feel comfortable in the upright posture or when they sit up
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