epiglottitis Definition
a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the epiglottis, a small cartilage 'lid' that covers the windpipe, swells and blocks the flow of air into the lungs.
Using epiglottitis: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "epiglottitis" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Epiglottitis is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Example
Symptoms of epiglottitis include difficulty breathing, high fever, and severe throat pain.
Example
The most common cause of epiglottitis is an infection with the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
Summary: epiglottitis in Brief
Epiglottitis [ˌɛpɪɡlɒˈtaɪtɪs] is a serious medical condition where the epiglottis, a small cartilage that covers the windpipe, becomes inflamed and blocks the airway. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, high fever, and severe throat pain. The most common cause is an infection with the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).