Prognosis
If epiglottitis (inflammation of the epiglottis) is not treated, the prognosis is very poor. The patient suffocates because the airways are blocked. With the help of antibiotic therapy and intensive medical care, however, the chance of a cure without consequences is very good. An up-to-date medical care is important. With this disease (epiglottitis) there is no time to lose.
Prophylaxis
There are different types of the bacterium – most common is type B against which one can be vaccinated. The vaccination contains harmless capsule components of the bacterium against which the immune system forms antibodies. The Haemophilus influenzae (HiB) vaccination, by the way, serves primarily to protect against meningitis, which is only caused by the encapsulated type B.
This vaccination is recommended for all children from the third month of life (epiglottitis). Thanks to the introduction of the Hib vaccination, the incidence of epiglottides has been greatly reduced. The few cases that are still being described are mainly due to patients who have either not been vaccinated or suffer from a weakened immune system.
Thus, there are other pathogens that can cause similar symptoms to Hib. These include streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci, varicella zoster, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Neisseria menigitidis. However, some forms of fungi, such as Candida albicans, which occurs on many body surfaces, can also cause epiglottitis.
Causes
The epiglottis is a cartilaginous structure at the base of the tongue which can seal the windpipe. This is very important during the swallowing process: it must be prevented that liquids or food particles enter the windpipe and via this way into the lungs. Otherwise this can lead to pneumonia (so-called aspiration pneumonia). Inflammation of the epiglottis (epiglottitis) is mainly caused by the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae. This causes swelling of the mucous membrane of the epiglottis, which hinders breathing and can lead to suffocation (epiglottitis).
Frequency
Epiglottitis (inflammation of the epiglottis) occurs mainly in small children. Since the vaccination for Haemophilus influenzae type B, the incidence of the disease has decreased significantly.