Adult supraglottitis due to herpes simplex virus.

Changes in the concepts regarding epiglottis have occurred over the last two decades. Supraglottis, once thought to occur exclusively in the pediatric population, is now recognized in adults. Supraglottis is a well-defined syndrome usually caused by a bacterial infection by Haemophilus influenzae type B. Recently, other organisms have been implicated as etiologic agents in cases of supraglottitis. Documented viral supraglottitis is very rare, and adult supraglottitis due to herpes simplex virus-I has not been reported to our knowledge.