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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Certain factors increase the risk of developing epiglottitis, including:

  • Sex. Epiglottitis affects more males than females.
  • Weak immune system. If your immune system has been weakened by illness or medication, you're more susceptible to the bacterial infections that may cause epiglottitis.
  • Inadequate vaccination. Delayed or skipped immunizations can leave a child vulnerable to Hib and increases the risk of epiglottitis.
References
  1. Woods CR. Epiglottitis (supraglottitis): Clinical features and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 12, 2010.
  2. Woods CR. Epiglottitis (supraglottitis): Treatment and prevention. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 12, 2010.
  3. Epiglottitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec08/ch090/ch090l.html. Accessed March 16, 2010.
  4. Is your child protected against Hib? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HibDisease/. Accessed March 16, 2010.
  5. Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-hib.pdf. Accessed March 12, 2010.
  6. Sobol SE, et al. Epiglottitis and croup. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2008;41:551.
  7. Lustig LR, et al. Ear, nose, and throat disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment. 49th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2356. Accessed March 12, 2010.
  8. 8. Rubin MA, et al. Pharyngitis, sinusitis, otitis, and other upper respiratory tract infections. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2883486. Accessed March 12, 2010.
  9. Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 17, 2010.
  10. Steckelberg JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 23, 2010.
DS00529 May 4, 2010

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