When to Seek Medical Care

If epiglottitis is suspected, call 911 for emergency medical services to take the person to a hospital's emergency department for further evaluation by a doctor.

The following combination of signs and symptoms should lead you to contact your doctor or go directly to a hospital's emergency department:

• Sore throat
  
  
• Muffled voice
  
  
• Fever
  
  
• Inability to swallow
  
  
• Fast heartbeat
  
  
• Irritability
  
  
• Respiratory distress characterized by drooling, shortness of breath, rapid shallow breathing, very ill-looking appearance, upright posturing with tendency to lean forward, and stridor (high-pitched sound when breathing in)

Epiglottitis is a medical emergency. Someone who is suspected of having epiglottitis should be taken to the hospital. Any signs of difficulty in breathing should be reason enough to see a doctor.

If you experience a sudden onset of the following signs and symptoms, go directly to a hospital's emergency department:

• Sore throat
  
  
• Drooling
  
  
• Inability to speak or swallow
  
  
• Muffled voice
  
  
• Fever
  
  
• Fast heart rate
  
  
• Respiratory distress, such as stridor, short shallow breathing, fast breathing, or blue discoloration to the skin