How is epiglottitis diagnosed?

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How is epiglottitis diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will perform a physical examination and ask about your symptoms. They may also request certain tests that can help diagnose epiglottitis.

These tests may include:

  • Laryngoscopy: During this test, your healthcare provider uses a small camera at the end of a flexible tube to examine your throat.
  • Culture tests: Your provider takes a swab of your throat to test for bacteria or viruses.
  • Blood tests: Your provider may perform a variety of blood tests to count your white blood cells or see if there are any bacteria or viruses in your blood.
  • Imaging tests: An X-ray or CT (computed tomography) scan can help determine the level of swelling and to see if there’s an unwanted object in your airway.

Epiglottitis often shares a number of common symptoms with other conditions, such as croup. As a result, proper diagnosis and treatment are key.

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