Treatment of Haemophilus influenzae type B epiglottitis.

During 1969-1977, 48 children with blood cultures proved positive for Haemophilus influenzae type B epiglottitis were evaluated and treated. The fatality rate was 2%; one child died and another developed irreversible hypoxic brain damage. Ninety-five percent of the children were intubated and none required tracheostomy. The endotracheal tubes remained in place for 3.3 +/- 1.5 days. Short-term parenteral antimicrobial therapy, 4.0 +/- 1.4 days, was sufficient to eradicate bacteremia and prevent metastatic infectious foci. This report demonstrates the excellent results achieved in the treatment of epiglottitis with brief intubation and parenteral antimicrobial therapy.