health

Epiglottitis often begins with a sore throat. Symptoms may come on suddenly
and include the following:

• high fever
  
• inability to swallow and drooling
  
• difficulty breathing
  
• muffled voice
  
• stridor (STRY-dor, a high-pitched, squeaking noise that occurs
  while breathing in; it is present usually only if there is narrowing or
  blockage of the upper airway)
  
• a “sniffing” posture (when a young child leans forward, with chin
  extended, to make it easier to breathe)

Because their airways are smaller than those of adults, children with
epiglottitis are at higher risk for developing severe breathing problems.