Epiglottitis: Inflammation of the epiglottis
that tends to cause airway obstruction, this disease typically strikes
children between ages 2 and 8. Epiglottitis sometimes follows an
upper respiratory infection and may rapidly progress to complete upper
airway obstruction within 2 to 5 hours.
An emergency, epiglottitis
can prove fatal in &% to 12% of victims unless it's recognized and
treated promptly.
Epiglottis: the lid like cartilaginous structure overhanging
the entrance to the larynx, guarding it during swallowing
Cause: Usually, Hemophilus influenzae type B causes the
disorder. At times, pneumococci and Group A streptococci causes it.
Symptoms:
Laryngeal obstruction
High fever
Stridor ( a harsh, high-pitched respiratory sound)
Sore throat
Difficulty swallowing
Dysphagia (impairment of speech)
Irritability
Restlessness
Drooling
Usually the child attempting to relieve severe respiratory distress
may hyperextend his neck, sit up, and lean forward with his mouth open,
tongue protruding, and nostrils flaring as he tries to breathe.
Treatment:
Emergency hospitalization
May require emergency endotracheal intubation or a tracheotomy
Respiratory distress that interferes with swallowing requires parenteral
fluid administration to prevent dehydration
A patient with acute epiglottitis should always receive a 10 day course
of parenteral antibiotics - usually ampicillin
At the innermost corner of the eye, nearest the nose, are the tear ducts, or a series of tiny organs known collectively as the lacryminal apparatus. When we have a cold, the flu, or an attack of hay fever, we are likely to think there is no way to stop this part of the eye from secreting tears but a blockage of this system does happen and it can become very painful indeed. Each of the...
Related Articles:
-
E. Coli
Escherichia coli O157:H7 or E. coli for short, is
a growing cause of food borne illness.
Each year, 10,000 to 20,000 new cases of E. coli infection
occur in the...
-
Epilepsy News
Epilepsy Medication Delivers Relief from Shingles Pain
A new report concludes that the anti-convulsant medicine gabapentin
is effective in providing relief from post herpetic neuralgia...
-
Epilepsy
Epilepsy: One of Paroxysmal disorders. Patients
affected with this disorder are susceptible to recurrent seizures.
Paroxysmal events associated with abnormal electrical discharges of...
-
Epiglottitis
Epiglottitis: Inflammation of the epiglottis
that tends to cause airway obstruction, this disease typically strikes
children between ages 2 and 8. Epiglottitis sometimes...
-
Emphysema
Emphysema: Abnormal irreversible enlargement of air
spaces distal to terminal bronchioles caused by destruction of alveolar
walls, resulting in decreased elastic recoil properties of...
-
Emergency Child Birth
Steps to Take In an Emergency Child Birth Situation
EVALUATING THE MOTHER
As a general guideline, there are three cases in which you should not try to transport the mother to a...
-
Epstine-Barr Virus (EBV)
The Epstein-Barr virus frequently referred to as EBV, is one
of the most common human viruses, and it occurs world-wide. The
Epstein-Barr
virus is in the herpes family of viruses, and most...
-
Ear Infection: Otitis Media
Banish Tinnitus in 3 Simple Steps! Silence The Ringing Once and For All
Otitis Media: or Inner ear infection, inflammation of the middle ear, may be acute or chronic, suppurative or...
-
Eczema
BEAT ECZEMA NOW! 100% ALL NATURAL CURE
Atopic dermatitis: also known as atopic or infantile
eczema. - a superficial inflammatory process involving primarily
the...
