(3)
High fever, perhaps.
(4)
Respiratory distress.
(5)
Tri-pod position.
b. Treatment for Epiglottitis. Follow these procedures:
(1)
Administer humidified oxygen.
(2)
Let the child assume the position which is most comfortable for him.
(3) Transport the child to a medical care facility immediately. Epiglottitis can
only be treated in a medical facility. Often (50 percent of the cases), the condition
requires a tracheotomy or intubation.
CAUTION:
Children with epiglottitis are in grave danger from airway obstruction.
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER place an instrument in the mouth of a child
with epiglottis. Anything put in the throat will cause severe
laryngospasm, resulting in swelling which obstructs the airway.
WARNING
Epiglottitis is a medical emergency! The child must
be transported calmly and quickly to a hospital.
3-12. ACUTE ASTHMA
Asthma is a congestive pulmonary disease characterized by attacks of wheezing
and difficult breathing. Smooth muscles that lie in the walls of the smaller bronchi and
bronchiolus become increasingly responsive to a variety of stimuli (pollens, dusts, milk,
shellfish, fumes, etc.). This causes edema in the bronchi and congestion of the lining
membranes of the bronchi. Additionally, the membranes which line the bronchi secrete
a great deal of mucus which is hard to dislodge (cough up).
a. Signs/Symptoms of Acute Asthma. Included are the following:
(1)
Interference of normal passage of air in and out of the lungs.
(2) Exhalation particularly difficult. Not all the inhaled air can be exhaled.
With each breath the child takes, some air is trapped in his lungs.
(3) Chest becomes overinflated, and the sounds are overloud when the
chest is percussed.
MD0584
3-13