Unique Presentation in Adults – Our Case:
The epidemiological landscape of acute epiglottitis has evolved significantly since the introduction of vaccines against H. influenzae type b (Hib), but may still be isolated in completely vaccinated children [5,6,7,8,9]. In the current post-conjugate vaccine era, epiglottitis has predominantly shifted towards affecting adults, with an estimated annual incidence ranging from 0.6 to 1.9 cases per 100,000 [10,11]and an overall mean age of onset between 45 to 49 years [12,13]. Notably, our case report adds a unique dimension to this evolving scenario. The 28-year-old male patient sought emergency medical attention when he presented with severe respiratory difficulty, with a history of sore throat and vomiting over three days, eventually leading to the diagnosis of acute epiglottitis [14]. In contrast to the typical course observed in adults, our case introduces an uncommon complication – acute upper airway obstruction. This deviation challenges the established norms and highlights the dynamic nature of epiglottitis in adult’s post-vaccination. The patient’s presentation highlights the importance of vigilance in recognizing and managing uncommon complications associated with this condition in the adult population. Additionally, comorbid conditions such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and other factors mentioned in the epidemiological context contribute to noninfective causes of acute epiglottitis and its management in adults [15,16,17,18].