Causes and risk factors
Epiglottitis is mainly caused by infection or any injury. Infection is mostly caused by organisms like Hemophilus influenza virus type B, Streptococcus bacteria or Pneumococci. It is an airborne infection.Cocoain abusers are at higher risk for developing epiglottitis.
Clinical presentation:
The cardinal symptoms of epiglottitis is severe pain in throat. The person faces difficulty in swallowing food; Eating or drinking aggravates the complaints. The person experience cutting or pricking sensation in throat. Hoarseness of voice occurs. Fever, weakness, malaise are other associated symptoms seen. Initially the symptoms are slow to develop but later they may develop rapidly and can lead to bluish discoloration of the skin, loud breathing sounds can be heard. The patients appear severely ill and anxious. Complications like spread of infection to lungs and brain is seen. Swelling of epiglottis can cause blockage of the air passages leading to respiratory failure.
Investigations:
Apart from the symptoms given by the patient, epiglottitis can be diagnosed with the help of certain tests and oral examination .Laryngoscopy is diagnostic. Along with this certain other investigations like complete blood count, X-ray of the chest and neck, cultures of throat swab and lung function test can be advised.
Treatment
Antibiotic medications are the first line of treatment. Tracheal intubation can be done, it is done in cases where the patients suffer from breathing difficulty. Surgical intervention is adopted in severe cases. Cricothyrotomy where an incision is made in the cricothyroid membrane so as to establish an airway passage. Vaccination against Hemophilus influenza virus type B has reduced the occurrence.
Other modes of treatment:
Certain other modes of treatment can also be helpful in coping up the symptom. Taking into consideration the symptoms in a holistic way, homoeopathy can offer a good aid for the relief of the symptoms. The Ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbs and synthetic derivates can also be beneficial in combating the complaints.
