Epiglottitis is inflammation on the epiglottis, i.e. valve which closes the respiratory tract when eating or drinking.Epiglottitis is generally caused by a bacterial infection or injury to the throat.
The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped valve located behind the tongue. This valve functions to close the windpipe when a person swallows, so that food or liquid does not enter the respiratory tract.
Inflammation of the epiglottis can occur at any age. However, this condition is most often experienced by children aged 2-5 years. In addition to children, people with weakened immune systems, such as people with HIV/AIDS or cancer, are also prone to developing epiglottitis.
Symptoms of Epiglottitis
In children, symptoms of epiglottitis can get worse quickly, even within hours. While in adults, symptoms of epiglottitis generally will worsen slowly. Epiglottitis can cause symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Difficult to swallow
- Snoring
- Hoarseness
- sucks
- Hard to breathe
Children with epiglottitis can also be cranky and cranky. In addition to the above symptoms, people with epiglottitis tend to prefer to sit up straight with their body leaning forward. This position can make it easier for the patient to breathe.
When to go to the doctor
Because the symptoms are similar, epiglottitis is often considered a disease croup, namely infection of the throat to the windpipe due to a virus. However, it should be noted that epiglottitis is more dangerous than croup.
Epiglottitis should be treated as soon as possible. If not treated immediately, the swollen epiglottis can cover the windpipe, blocking the supply of oxygen. This condition can lead to death. Therefore, patients who show symptoms of epiglottitis should be immediately taken to the hospital.
Do not lay the patient in a supine position, or examine the patient's throat without being accompanied by medical personnel, because it can actually worsen the patient's condition.
Causes of Epiglottitis
The main cause of epiglottitis is a bacterial infection. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzaetype B(Hib) is a type bacteria that most often trigger inflammation of the epiglottis.
These bacteria have the same way of spreading as the flu, namely through splashes of saliva and mucus from sufferers, which are accidentally inhaled.
The infection will cause the epiglottis to swell. Swelling of the epiglottis can block the entry and exit of air in the respiratory tract, thus potentially causing death.
In addition to bacterial infections, epiglottitis can occur due to fungal infections or viral infections. Epiglottitis can also be caused by an injury to the throat, for example from swallowing chemicals or sharp objects, drinking hot beverages, smoking, or a blow to the throat.
DiagnosisEpiglottitis
People suspected of having epiglottitis should be taken to the hospital immediately because they need emergency treatment. The first priority is not finding the cause of the epiglottitis, but making sure the airway is open. For that, doctors can put a tube as a breathing apparatus.
After confirming that the respiratory tract is smooth, there are several further examinations carried out by the doctor to find out the cause, including:
- Blood tests, to look for signs of infection.
- Binoculars epiglottis with nasoendoscopy, to see the condition of the epiglottis.
- Epiglottic biopsy, which is taking and examining a sample of epiglottic tissue to look for bacterial infection and changes in the tissue.
In addition, the doctor may also perform an X-ray of the chest or neck, as well as a CT or MRI scan, to check for other possible causes.
PeEpiglottitis treatment
To ensure that the respiratory tract remains open, one of the procedures performed by doctors is to insert a breathing tube (endotracheal intubation) through the mouth.
If the epiglottis covers the windpipe and the airway is difficult to attach, the doctor may perform a tracheostomy, which involves making a hole in the patient's neck and placing a special instrument directly into the windpipe.
If the epiglottitis is caused by a bacterial infection, the ENT doctor will give you an injection of antibiotics. At first, the doctor will give you antibiotics which generally kill a lot of bacteria.
After the results of blood tests or tissue samples come out, the doctor can change antibiotics according to the type of bacteria that causes epiglottitis.
In addition to antibiotics, doctors can also give other drugs, such as corticosteroid drugs to reduce swelling and inflammation in the throat.
Epiglottitis Prevention
The main thing that needs to be done to prevent epiglottitis is to avoid Hib infection. Therefore, Hib vaccination is the main prevention of epiglottitis. In Indonesia, the Hib vaccine is given at the same time as DPT and hepatitis B.
This vaccine has 4 stages, namely when babies are 2, 3, 4, and 15-18 months old. For children who come for the first time to be immunized at the age of 1-5 years, this vaccine is only given once. Meanwhile, children over 5 years old do not need to be immunized anymore.
Apart from vaccines, epiglottitis can be prevented by diligently washing hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer, and not sharing personal items with others.