Epiglottitis in adults

  • Martin J Carey
    Correspondence
    Address reprint requests to Dr Carey, Senior Fellow, Ambulatory Care, Seattle VA Medical Center (152), 1660 South Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98144.
    Affiliations
    From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Seattle, WA. USA
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      Abstract

      Acute epiglottitis has become a disease of adults, probably as a result of immunization of children against Haemophilus influenzae. This article is a review of the literature on epiglottitis, including signs and symptoms, investigation, differential diagnosis, and treatment in the emergency department. The microbiology is discussed and the importance of prophylaxis in exposed persons is stressed.

      Keywords

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