Unique Presentation in Adults – Our Case:
The epidemiological landscape of acute epiglottitis has evolved
significantly since the introduction of vaccines against H. influenzae
type b (Hib), but may still be isolated in completely vaccinated
children [5,6,7,8,9]. In the current post-conjugate vaccine era,
epiglottitis has predominantly shifted towards affecting adults, with an
estimated annual incidence ranging from 0.6 to 1.9 cases per 100,000
[10,11]and an overall mean age of onset between 45 to 49 years
[12,13]. Notably, our case report adds a unique dimension to this
evolving scenario. The 28-year-old male patient sought emergency medical
attention when he presented with severe respiratory difficulty, with a
history of sore throat and vomiting over three days, eventually leading
to the diagnosis of acute epiglottitis [14]. In contrast to the
typical course observed in adults, our case introduces an uncommon
complication – acute upper airway obstruction. This deviation
challenges the established norms and highlights the dynamic nature of
epiglottitis in adult’s post-vaccination. The patient’s presentation
highlights the importance of vigilance in recognizing and managing
uncommon complications associated with this condition in the adult
population. Additionally, comorbid conditions such as hypertension,
diabetes mellitus, and other factors mentioned in the epidemiological
context contribute to noninfective causes of acute epiglottitis and its
management in adults [15,16,17,18].