ABSTRACT
Classically, we think of epiglottitis as an infectious disease of children who usually present to the emergency department (ED) in acute respiratory distress. Symptoms in children may include drooling, tripod positioning, dyspnea, and dysphagia. Today, however, less than 1% of children present to EDs with epiglottitis. Healthcare providers see an increasing number of adults who present to EDs with sore throats with or without a fever that have epiglottitis. Their symptoms are vague and their physical examination can be unimpressive. Advanced practice nurses must have a high index of suspicion for epiglottitis in order to prevent the rapid deterioration of the adult patient with this potentially life-threatening disease.