The main difference between epiglottitis and croup is that epiglottitis is mainly caused by a bacterial infection, whereas croup is caused by a viral infection.
Infection is the growth and invasion of germs in the body. Examples of such germs are viruses, yeast, bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms. There are minor infectious diseases as well as very serious infectious diseases. These infections may spread from person to person via the contamination of water and food. Infections can begin anywhere in the body and may spread throughout the body. Epiglottitis and croup are two such infections.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Epiglottitis
– Definition, Cause, Symptoms, Treatment
2. What is Croup
– Definition, Cause, Symptoms, Treatment
3. Difference Between Epiglottis and Croup
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Epiglottitis, Croup
What is Epiglottitis
Epiglottitis is an inflammation and swelling of the epiglottitis. It may sometimes also happen as a result of a throat injury. Epiglottis is a flap of tissue that is located beneath the tongue, at the back of the throat. While you eat, it closes the trachea, not allowing the food to enter the airway.
The symptoms of epiglottitis include severe sore throat, difficulty in breathing, abnormal high-pitched breathing noises (a main symptom in children), hoarseness, fever, drooling, irritability, restlessness, and pain when swallowing. Among these, the most common symptoms are dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing), drooling, distress, and dysphonia (hoarseness). Epiglottis is a medical emergency. If the symptoms develop, patients need treatments immediately.
The main cause of epiglottitis is the bacterial infection. Haemophilus influenza type b (HIb) bacteria cause epiglottitis in most cases. Other potential causes include smoking, chemical burns, side effects of other diseases, and injury to the throat when you drink a very hot liquid or through a physical blow. Moreover, viruses such as herpes simplex or fungal infection could also be a cause.
The complications associated with epiglottitis are breathing failure and the spread of infection. Hib vaccine can help to prevent this condition. The side effects of the vaccine treatment are allergic reactions and mild side effects such as warmth, swelling, fever, and pain at the injection site.
However, epiglottitis can be prevented by practicing good hygiene, protecting yourself from infections, avoiding injury to the throat, and making sure the vaccinations are up to date.
What is Croup
Croup is an infection of the upper airway. This condition is commonly found in children. As a result of the infection, the upper airway becomes narrow, making it harder to breathe. The main cause of croup is a viral infection, mostly the parainfluenza virus.
Croup is not very serious and can be treated at home. Symptoms and signs of croup generally arise due to the irritation and swelling around the larynx, bronchial tubes, and trachea. The symptoms of croup initiate as an ordinary cold. In addition, hoarse voice, noisy breathing, fever, and loud barking cough are the other symptoms.
The complications in croup are mild. Sometimes, the swelling of the airway causes problems in breathing. But emergency conditions are very rare.
Moreover, croup can be prevented by washing hands frequently with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds, encouraging sneezing or coughing into the elbow, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
Difference Between Epiglottitis and Croup
Definition
Epiglottitis is an inflammation and swelling of the epiglottitis, while croup is an infection of the upper airway.
Cause
The main cause of epiglottitis is a bacterial infection, while the main cause of croup is a viral infection.
Species Causing the Infection
Haemophilus influenza type b(HIb)b bacteria mainly causes epiglottitis; sometimes viruses like herpes simplex and fungal infections can also cause epiglottitis. Croup, on the other hand, is mainly caused by the parainfluenza virus.
Symptoms
Epiglottitis causes sudden onset of severe throat pain and difficulty in swallowing, whereas croup initiates with a mild cold and cough. Symptoms of epiglottitis include severe sore throat, difficulty in breathing, abnormal high-pitched breathing noises, hoarseness, fever, drooling, irritability, restlessness, and pain when swallowing. Meanwhile, symptoms of croup include hoarse voice, noisy breathing, fever, and loud barking cough.
Treatment
Epiglottitis is considered a medical emergency, whereas croup is not that severe.
Complications Associated
The complications of epiglottitis include breathing failure and spreading infection, whereas croup only has mild complications, as swelling of the airway causes problems with breathing.
Prevention
Epiglottitis can be prevented by practicing good hygiene, protecting yourself from infections, avoiding injury to the throat, and making sure the vaccinations are up to date, while croup can be prevented by washing hands frequently with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds, encouraging sneezing or coughing into the elbow and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
Conclusion
Infection is the growth and invasion of germs in the body. Epiglottitis and croup are two such infections. The main difference between epiglottitis and croup is that the main cause of epiglottitis is a bacterial infection, while the main cause of croup is a viral infection.
Reference:
1. “Epiglottitis.” Mayo Clinics.
2. “Croup.” Mayo Clinics.
Image Courtesy:
1. “High rising epiglottis” By Dimitrios Malamos – Own work (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Croup steeple sign” By Frank Gaillard – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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