epiglottitis

Bacterial croup, also called epiglottitis, is a more serious condition that historically was caused primarily by Haemophilus influenzae type B. However, a vaccine effective against H. influenzae—known as the Hib vaccine—has significantly reduced the occurrence of epiglottitis caused by this organism. Today epiglottitis is more often caused by Staphylococcus…

…most common cause of acute epiglottitis, an infection in which tissue at the back of the tongue becomes rapidly swollen and obstructs the airway, creating a potentially fatal condition. H. influenzae also is the most common cause of meningitis and pneumonia in children under five years of age, and it…