title: Epiglottitis: a disease of all ages.
abstract: Epiglottitis is an acute life-threatening infectious condition characterised by local supraglottic inflammation. Although it is predominantly a disease of childhood, it occurs in all age groups. The risk of sudden complete airway obstruction necessitates careful monitoring, prompt responses and clinical expertise in airway management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Munro
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Castilla
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology; D004826:Epiglottitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D007830:Larynx / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D012121:Respiration, Artificial
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents