Respiratory · UKMLA & AKT
Acute epiglottitis
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise acute epiglottitis — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
Key high-yield points
- Rapid onset (hours) - high fever (>38.5°C), severe sore throat, odynophagia
- 3 Ds - drooling, dysphagia, distress (classic paediatric triad)
- Tripod position - sits upright, leans forward with hands on knees to maximise airway diameter
- Stridor - inspiratory; late and ominous sign of significant obstruction
- Muffled 'hot potato' voice, anxiety/agitation, absent or mild cough
Do NOT examine the throat with a tongue depressor or lay the patient flat - stimulating the pharynx can trigger laryngospasm and complete airway obstruction. Keep the patient calm and upright.
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