Epiglottitis (Supraglottitis) By Alan G Cheng, MD, Stanford University Reviewed / Revised Mar 2022 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Symptoms and Signs Diagnosis Treatment Key Points Topic Resources Epiglottitis Epiglottitis (Adult) Subglottic Croup Differentiating Epiglottitis... Epiglottitis is a rapidly progressive bacterial infection of the epiglottis and surrounding tissues that may lead to sudden respiratory obstruction and death.