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Civilian Emergency Platform
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sudden severe sore throat with fever, drooling, muffled voice, and difficulty swallowing — often in older children or adults.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NOT EXPERT REVIEWED — NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sudden high fever with severe throat pain and difficulty swallowing.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Drooling because they cannot swallow saliva.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Muffled or hot-potato voice, leaning forward, anxious appearance.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stridor — noisy breathing when inhaling.
Scene hazards: Airway obstruction, Panic worsening breathing
Avoid anything that upsets the person — crying or gagging can close the airway.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 on speaker immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tell the person to stay still and breathe slowly — panic closes the airway faster.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Help them sit upright leaning forward (tripod). Never lay them flat.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Remove nothing from mouth and do not attempt to look down throat.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Monitor breathing continuously until paramedics arrive.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Say: "Suspected epiglottitis — drooling, cannot swallow, stridor. Need airway emergency."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Give age, fever level if known, and current breathing status.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Epiglottitis requires hospital airway management — intubation may be needed. This cannot be treated at home.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If the person collapses or stops breathing, start CPR — but keep the head and neck as stable as possible.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT use a tongue depressor, flashlight exam, or finger in throat — can trigger complete obstruction.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT give water, medicine, or food by mouth.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT transport in a lying position in a private car if avoidable — ambulance has airway equipment.
MYTH: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You should look in the throat to see what is wrong
REALITY: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Examining the throat can cause laryngospasm and complete airway closure in epiglottitis. Diagnosis is clinical — call 112.
DANGER: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Triggering fatal airway obstruction during examination.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — The flap at the base of the tongue (epiglottis) swells and can block the airway completely.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — This is different from mild sore throat — person looks toxic, drools, and sits forward afraid to lie down.