Epiglottitis most commonly affects children in which age range and presents with which signs?

• A. 3 to 7 years; high fever, drooling, sore throat, dyspnea
• B. Newborns; poor feeding and lethargy
• C. Teenagers; cough and chest pain
• D. Adults; hoarseness only

Answer: (A)

Epiglottitis is an acute supraglottic infection that causes rapid airway compromise in young children. It most commonly affects preschool to early school-age children, roughly around 2 to 7 years old. The classic presentation includes a high fever, difficulty swallowing leading to drooling, sore throat, and signs of respiratory distress such as dyspnea. The child may appear anxious, sit upright and forward, and have a muffled voice, with little or no casual cough. These features—especially the combination of high fever, drooling, sore throat, and breathing difficulty—fit epiglottitis well.

Other age groups and presentations don’t align as closely: newborns with poor feeding and lethargy suggest other neonatal issues; teenagers with cough and chest pain point to illnesses like bronchitis or pneumonia; adults with hoarseness alone is more typical of laryngitis or vocal cord issues.