How is epiglottitis treated?

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How is epiglottitis treated?

Epiglottitis is a medical emergency. If you or someone you know exhibits epiglottitis symptoms — such as difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness or drooling — call 911 or head to your nearest emergency room.

At the hospital, healthcare providers will begin epiglottitis treatment:

  • The first step is to restore your airways to full capacity. Your healthcare provider will place an oxygen mask over your mouth and nose so your lungs can start getting air. If your air passages are already blocked, they’ll place a tube down your throat to deliver oxygen into your lungs. In severe cases, a person may need a tracheostomy (where your healthcare provider makes a small incision in your windpipe).
  • Once your lungs are getting oxygen, your provider may insert a breathing tube through your nose and into your windpipe to make breathing more natural.
  • Your medical team will give you plenty of fluids through an intravenous (IV) drip (a needle inserted into a vein).
  • If you have a bacterial infection, they’ll give you antibiotics to help fight off infection.

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