Acute epiglottitis in children is a rare entity since the introduction of the vaccine against Haemophilus influenzae; however, it should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis when facing a patient with evidence of upper airway obstruction. This study describes the case of a three-year-old child who arrived at the emergency department with fever, respiratory distress, and stridor. After ventilatory failure, the patient was intubated and antibiotics were initiated. The results of the bacteria culture confirmed Streptococcus pyogenes infection. This case report intends to describe and review the differential diagnoses of epiglottitis, as well as its management and prognosis.
Keywords: epiglottitis; respiratory distress; streptococcus pyogenes; stridor; upper airway.
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