Ear, Nose & Throat
Epiglottitis
A medical emergency in which the flap above the windpipe swells and can block breathing.
📝 Summary
In short: A medical emergency in which the flap above the windpipe swells and can block breathing.
Common causes: Bacterial infection, classically Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib); Other bacterial or viral infections of the throat; A burn or direct injury to the throat.
First thing to try: Treat this as an emergency; call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
See a doctor if: Immediately, for any combination of severe sore throat, drooling, muffled voice, and trouble breathing
🌿 Overview
Epiglottitis is a dangerous swelling of the small flap of tissue that guards the windpipe. It can close off the airway quickly, so it is a true emergency. Anyone with severe sore throat, drooling, and trouble breathing needs emergency care at once; this is not a condition to treat at home.
The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped flap at the base of the tongue that folds down to cover the windpipe when you swallow, keeping food out of the lungs. In epiglottitis this flap becomes badly inflamed and swollen, usually from a bacterial infection, and the swelling can narrow or block the airway within hours. It is a life-threatening emergency. The classic picture is a person, once most often a young child, now more often adults since childhood vaccination, who becomes suddenly and severely ill with a high fever, a very sore throat, a muffled 'hot-potato' voice, drooling because swallowing hurts too much, and a tendency to sit upright and lean forward to breathe. Stridor, a harsh sound on breathing in, signals dangerous narrowing. Because any upset can trigger complete blockage, the affected person should be kept calm and taken to emergency care immediately; the airway is secured and antibiotics are given by professionals. There is no safe home remedy; recognizing it and getting emergency help is what saves lives. The Hib vaccine has made it far rarer in children.
Common signs
- Severe sore throat that worsens fast
- High fever and looking very ill
- Drooling, because swallowing is too painful
- Muffled or 'hot-potato' voice
- Difficulty breathing, often sitting up and leaning forward
- A harsh sound when breathing in (stridor)
🔎 Why it happens
Common causes and triggers — spotting yours is often the first step to relief.
- Bacterial infection, classically Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Other bacterial or viral infections of the throat
- A burn or direct injury to the throat
- Being unvaccinated against Hib raises the risk in children
✅ What to do
Gentle, practical steps you can take at home — start at the top.
- Treat this as an emergency; call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
- Keep the person calm and sitting upright; do not force them to lie down.
- Do not try to look in the throat or put anything in the mouth; this can trigger a complete blockage.
- Do not attempt home remedies or wait it out.
- Reassure the person and keep them as still and unafraid as possible until help arrives.
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🍽️ Eating to help
Food is one of the gentlest medicines — small, steady changes help most.
Favor these
- Nothing by mouth until a doctor says it is safe; this is an emergency
Go easy on
- All food and drink while symptoms are active, to protect the airway
This condition is not managed with diet. Seek emergency care; eating or drinking can be dangerous when the airway is threatened.
⚖️ Good to know
- Never examine the throat with a stick or spoon; it can cause the airway to close.
- Do not delay emergency care to try home measures.
🩺 When to see a doctor
- Immediately, for any combination of severe sore throat, drooling, muffled voice, and trouble breathing
- Any harsh sound when breathing in
- A child or adult who looks severely ill and wants to sit upright to breathe
- Bluish lips or gasping; call emergency services now
📜 A note from history
Before the Hib vaccine, this sudden childhood emergency was widely feared; vaccination has made it far less common.
📚 Learn more
Trusted, independent sources for further reading. These open in a new tab.
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