Laryngitis, Epiglottitis and Pharyngitis

• Croup is the most common cause of stridor in children, caused by acute viral infection in most cases (parainfluenza) and mainly affects young children between 6 months and 3 years old. • Treatment with oral corticosteroids and nebulized adrenaline reduced the rate of hospitalization and complications. • The diagnoses of bacterial epiglottitis and viral laryngotracheobronchitis (croup) in infants and children may be confused. • Epiglottitis is an acute inflammation of the epiglottis or supraglottis that may lead to the rapid onset of life-threatening airway obstruction caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and is an otolaryngologic emergency. Since the widespread implementation of a conjugate vaccine for Hib, the incidence of epiglottitis significantly declined in children and there was a consequent shift in disease from young children to adults. • The management of epiglottitis includes securing the airways and appropriate antibiotics (ceftriaxone). • Group A streptococcus is a frequent cause of pharyngitis that can be diagnosed by rapid antigen-detection test. Antibiotic treatment reduces the risk of complications, including rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis.