Background
Microbiology
- Pediatric
- Adult
- Cryptogenic (now most common)
Clinical Manifestations
- In children, presents with fever, irritability, and respiratory distress with or without stridor
- Often a muffled, hoarse voice
- Cough is rare
- In adults, presents with odynophagia and sore throat
- May also have fever, drooling, or stridor
Differential Diagnosis
Investigations
- Lateral neck x-ray shows thumb sign
- Laryngoscopy
Management
- Ceftriaxone
- Include Staph aureus coverage if concerned for bacterial tracheitis
- Vanco to cover resistant pneumococcus if common
- 7-10 days