Respiratory · UKMLA & AKT
Acute epiglottitis
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test, covering how to recognise this condition. The full SA Note notes add investigations, management and complications, with practice questions on this topic.
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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