The epiglottis serves as an extension of the cartilage whose function is to close the trachea and protect it from the entry of foreign bodies, especially during the swallowing process. The cartilage swells in epiglottitis and may cause an obstruction of the trachea, threatening life. 
The prevalence of epiglottitis has significantly decreased since the introduction of the Haemophilus influenzae vaccine in routine immunizations, but it still exists. In any situation where epiglottitis is suspected, a doctor must be consulted to treat the condition, as it can rapidly deteriorate into a real threat to life. 
Symptoms of Epiglottitis
1. Symptoms of epiglottitis in children
The disease may develop in children within a few hours and include the following: 
•    High fever. 
•    Significant pain in the throat. 
•    Difficulty and pain when swallowing. 
•    Drooling as a result of severe pain when swallowing. 
•    Nervousness and behavioral agitation. 
•    Shortness of breath that worsens when leaning forward, which is why a sitting position is more comfortable. 
2. Symptoms of epiglottitis in adults
Epiglottitis develops more slowly in adults, during which the following symptoms appear: 
•    Noticeably significant pain in the throat. 
•    Hoarseness or a muffled voice. 
•    The appearance of wheezing or rattling sounds when breathing. 
•    Difficulty breathing. 
Causes and Risk Factors of Epiglottitis
Causes include the following: 
1. Aggressive factors
Infection with Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a common cause of inflammation in the epiglottis. Although this bacterium does not cause the flu, it is a cause of diseases that affect the respiratory system and other places in the body, as it is transmitted via droplets in the air. The person carrying it may not be sick, but they can transmit it to others, causing them to get sick. 
2. Other infectious factors
The following are some bacteria that may cause epiglottitis, which include the following: 
•    Pneumococcus. 
•    Streptococcus in its various types. 
•    Candida, which is a genus of fungi. 
•    Viruses from the Herpes family. 
3. Traumatic factors
Direct damage to the epiglottis area can cause epiglottitis, such as from a direct injury to the larynx area, drinking boiling liquids, drinking chemicals that cause burns, and swallowing foreign objects or drugs. 
The phenomenon of epiglottitis is more common among males. In addition, those with a weak immune system due to an illness or drug treatment, or children unvaccinated against Haemophilus influenzae bacteria, are at greater risk of contracting the disease. 
Complications of Epiglottitis
•    When the epiglottis swells, it can cause a total obstruction of the trachea and lead to respiratory system failure. 
•    When the lungs are not ventilated, the oxygen level in the body decreases while the carbon dioxide level rises, resulting in a life-threatening situation. 
•    Even if the epiglottitis is not severe and does not cause respiratory system failure, there is a risk of the bacteria spreading and causing an infection in other parts of the body. 
Diagnosis of Epiglottitis
From the moment epiglottitis is suspected, the medical staff must secure an open airway as quickly as possible as long as the epiglottis does not completely block the trachea, and then continuously monitor oxygen levels, which is often done using an oximeter typically attached to the finger. If the oxygen concentration in the blood drops, it may be necessary to support breathing. 
Only after the situation is definitively stabilized can the diagnosis proceed through the following: 
•    Examining the larynx using a laryngoscope to see what is happening in the larynx, especially in the epiglottis, and then diagnosing the source of the problem. 
•    X-rays of the neck and chest to see if there is any mechanical obstruction; the imaging is often done in the child's bed because in such a situation it is preferable not to move the child to the radiology department. 
•    An attempt is made to take a direct sample from the throat in addition to a blood sample; in this way, antibiotics with the most effective coverage for the disease can be provided. 
Treatment of Epiglottitis
Therapeutic options include the following: 
•    Initial treatment must secure an open airway to the lungs and the delivery of a sufficient amount of oxygen, where in simple situations an oxygen mask or nasal cannula that provides the respiratory system with an oxygen-enriched air mixture at a concentration exceeding that in the air may suffice. 
•    There is often a need to insert a breathing tube directly into the trachea, bypassing the epiglottis, to ensure an open airway in case the swelling in the epiglottis increases. 
•    If there is a complete obstruction in the trachea from the beginning or for another reason that hinders the insertion of the breathing tube, it is necessary to perform a tracheostomy, during which a surgical incision is made directly into the trachea in the area past the obstruction, through which the patient's breathing process is conducted. 
•    Breathing supports are likely to be disconnected after the situation stabilizes within a few days. 
•    If the cause is an infectious agent, it also requires treatment with appropriate antibiotics against the disease-causing bacteria. 
Prevention of Epiglottitis
•    The most effective means of prevention is the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, which is given as part of the routine immunization schedule in mother and child clinics at ages: two months, 4 months, 6 months, and one year. 
•    In addition, patients with a weak immune system should be vaccinated at a more advanced age. 
•    Furthermore, preventive rules must be followed as in any infectious disease, taking care to wash hands with soap, and avoiding the shared use of towels and the like.