![]() |
Epiglottitis begins with a high fever and sore throat. Other symptoms may include: Drooling; Difficulty swallowing; Difficulty breathing (patient may need to sit upright and lean slightly forward to breathe; Noisy breathing (stridor; Voice changes...
|
|
The most common cause of epiglottitis is infection with the bacteria called Haemophilus influenzae type b. Other types of bacteria are also occasionally responsible for this infection, including some types of Streptococcus bacteria and the bacteri...
|
|
The most common cause of epiglottitis is infection with the bacteria called Haemophilus influenzae type b. Other types of bacteria are also occasionally responsible for this infection, including some types of Streptococcus bacteria and the bacteri...
|
![]() |
An acute upper airway obstruction is a blockage of the upper airway, which can be in the trachea, laryngeal (voice box), or pharyngeal (throat) areas.
|
|
Detailed information on airway obstruction and children, including choking, suffocation, and strangulation
|
|
|
Cyanosis is a physical sign causing bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes. Cyanosis is caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood.
|
|
|
Cyanosis is a physical state characterized by bluish discoloration of the skin and mucus membranes. This elderly woman's lips turned purple due to central cyanosis, a condition most commonly due to slow blood circulation, leading to a bluish skin coloration.
|
|
Blue fingernails may represent a type of cyanosis caused by a lower level of lack of
circulating oxygen in the red blood cells. It may also represent a high level of an
abnormal form of hemoglobin in the circulation.
|
|
Blue lips may represent a type of cyanosis caused by a lower level of circulating oxygen
in the red blood cells. It may also represent a high level of an abnormal form of
hemoglobin in the circulation.
|
![]() |
Drooling is saliva flowing outside the mouth.
|
|
Sometimes a person feels hot to touch due to illness or environmental situation that
causes elevated core temperature. A compounding factor can be dehydration (lack of
fluids.
|
![]() |
Normal body temperature varies by person, age, activity, and time of day. The average normal body temperature is 98.6?F (37?C).
|
|
|
A fever is any body temperature elevation over100.4 ? F (38 ? C).
|
|
Detailed information on fevers in children
|
|
A fever is a special cause for concern in infants younger than 3 months of age. Parents and caregivers should be most concerned with changes in eating or sleeping habits, coughing, pain or other marked changes.
|
|
Normal body temperature varies somewhat from one individual to another but displays a general range and pattern around the " normal " temperature of 98.6 ? F.
|
|
Fever is defined as an abnormally high body temperature or a regulated rise to a new set point of body temperature. While a body temperature above 100 ? F(37.
|
|
|
A fever is any body temperature elevation over 100 ? F (37.8 ? C).
|
|
An elevated body temperature. While the standard for normal body temperature is 98.
|
|
One minute you're hot; the next, you're chilled and your teeth chatter. You've got a fever. But look on the bright side: Fever seems to serve a helpful function in the body.
|
|
Buying a thermometer isn't as easy as it used to be. You face an array of choices. But the decision doesn't have to be hard. Like temperature, it's a matter of degrees.
|
|
Most medical professionals agree a fever by itself is not an illness; it is a symptom of an underlying problem. Fevers actually can be a positive sign the body is fighting an infection. However, a fever can cause discomfort for a child.
|
|
A fever is a way for the body to fight infection. But it may also be a sign of a serious illness, especially in children younger than 3 months and children who haven't been immunized. Know when to seek medical care for your child.
|
|
Detailed information on fever, including when to call your physician
|
|
Use a digital thermometer to take your child's temperature; never use a glass mercury thermometer. Most children aged three years and older can hold a thermometer under their tongue. If your child is younger than that, or you're having difficulty with the oral method, talk to your doctor about the best way to take his temperature.
|
|
Detailed information on children and fever, including symptoms and treatment
|
|
The best way to take an infant's temperature is rectally with a digital thermometer (never use a glass mercury thermometer). Taking the temperature under the arm, or using an ear thermometer, is less exact.
|
|
Hyperthermia is the use of therapeutic heat to treat various cancers on and inside the body. Purpose The purpose of hyperthermia is to shrink and hopefully destroy cancer without harming noncancerous cells.
|
|
Hyperthermia involves raising the body ' s core temperature as a means of eradicating tumors. The treatment simulates fever .
|
|
Children can become cranky, fussy or irritable for many reasons. Often it's because they're hungry or just tired. But sometimes irritability can be a sign of illness in children.
|
![]() |
Hoarseness is described as having difficulty producing sound when trying to speak, or a change in the pitch or quality of the voice. The voice may sound weak, excessively breathy, scratchy, or husky.
|
|
A voice disorder is an abnormality of one or more of the three characteristics of voice: pitch, intensity (loudness), and quality (resonance). The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders estimates that approximately7.
|
|
Cyanosis refers to a bluish cast to the skin and mucous membranes caused by a lower
level of circulating oxygen carried by the red blood cells. It may also represent a high
level of an abnormal form of hemoglobin in the circulation.
|
|
Chills are a sensation of cold from exposure to a cold environment or an episode of shivering with paleness and a feeling of coldness.
|
![]() |
Breathing difficulties involve a sensation of difficult or uncomfortable breathing or a feeling of not getting enough air. See also difficulty breathing - first aid.
|
|
Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, is a feeling of difficult or labored breathing that is out of proportion to the patient ' s level of physical activity. It is a symptom of a variety of different diseases or disorders and may be either acute or chronic.
|
|
Struggling to Breathe: A Nurse’s Tips for Managing DyspneaDyspnea is the technical word for difficulty breathing. It's a common symptom in people who have lung cancer or have cancer that has spread to the lungs.
|
|
Detailed information on the most common breathing problems in a newborn
|
|
Severe shortness of breath and shortness of breath accompanied by certain symptoms requires immediate medical attention.
|
|
If your child cannot seem to get enough breath in his lungs (shortness of breath) or is having a hard time breathing, he probably has a medical condition that needs treatment. If your child is old enough to talk, he can tell you that he is having difficulty breathing. If your child is younger, you may notice that he is breathing harder or faster than usual, isn't feeding well, or is cranky.
|
|
Shortness of breath may be a warning sign of heart disease.
Chest pain is a near-universal signal of heart disease. Shortness of breath may be an equally valuable tip-off.
|
|
I had a quadruple bypass seven years ago. A few months back I found myself taking frequent short breaths when I climbed the stairs. Once I stopped exerting myself, my breathing soon returned to normal. Is this due to a problem with my heart or lungs?
|
|
For the past two months I have experienced increased shortness of breath. I have chronic asthma, but there's concern the shortness of breath could be caused by a blockage in heart. I have experienced difficulties in the past when anesthetized. Is there an effective alternative to heart catheterization? I've read about a new CT scan ? is it recommended?
|
![]() |
A sore throat is discomfort, pain, or scratchiness in the throat. A sore throat often makes it painful to swallow.
|
|
|
Sore throat, also called pharyngitis, is a painful inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the pharynx. It is a symptom of many conditions, but most often is associated with colds or influenza .
|
|
Sore throat is an upper respiratory infection that may be caused by inflammation of the pharynx, larynx, or tonsils. Thus, it is a symptom of many conditions, but most often is associated with common cold or influenza .
|
|
Although many people assume that a sore throat means strep throat, most sore throats are not strep.
|
|
Sore throats abound in cold, flu, and allergy season. Do you know when you should put up with a sore throat, take a pain reliever, or see a doctor?
|
|
|
Sore throat is a painful inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the pharynx. Sore throat is also called pharyngitis.
|
|
|
Sore throat, also called pharyngitis, is a painful inflammation of the back of the throat. It is a symptom of many conditions, but most often is associated with colds or influenza .
|
|
What can be used for a 7-month-old who has a sore throat or strep throat?
|
|
Infections are not the only cause of sore throats. Allergies causing nasal congestion with mouth breathing and acid reflux are two non-infectious causes of sore throat.
|
|
Most sore throats will get better without antibiotics or other prescription medications. However, occasionally a sore throat can associated with a more serious health problem.
|
|
Stridor is an abnormal, high-pitched, musical breathing sound caused by a blockage in the throat or voice box (larynx. It is usually heard when taking in a breath. See also: Wheezing
|
|
Stridor is a term used to describe noisy breathing in general, and to refer specifically to a high-pitched crowing sound associated with croup , respiratory infection, and airway obstruction. Stridor occurs when erratic air currents attempt to force their way through breathing passages narrowed by: illness infection the presence of foreign objects throat abnormalities Stridor can usually be heard from a distance but is sometimes audible only during deep breathing.
|
|
Detailed information on stridor, including causes, diagnosis, and treatment
|
|
Stridor is a term used to describe noisy breathing in general and to refer specifically to a high-pitched crowing sound associated with croup , respiratory infection, and airway obstruction. Stridor is a symptom, not a disease.
|
|
Dysphagia is a disorder of swallowing. Dysphagia is a disruption in the ability to move food or liquid from the mouth through the pharynx and esophagus into the stomach safely and efficiently.
|
|
Detailed information on dysphagia, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
|