Epiglottitis is a medical emergency that may result in death if not treated quickly. The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that sits at the base of the tongue that keeps food from going into the trachea (windpipe) during swallowing.When it becomes infected and inflamed, it can swell and obstruct or close off the windpipe, which may be fatal unless promptly treated. Epiglottitis occurs with different peaks in both children and adults. 2  In children, generally epiglottitis typically peaks in children aged 2-4 years. 3  In adults, the average age of onset is 45 years.
Although aircraft cabins are pressurized, cabin air pressure at cruising altitude is lower than air pressure at sea level. At typical cruising altitudes in the range 11 000â12 200 m (36 000â40 000 feet), air pressure in the cabin is equivalent to the outside air pressure at 1800â2400 m (6000â8000 feet) above sea level.
Varying the air pressure controls the air temperature since the warmed air from the engine bleed moves through the cabin towards the exit valves. Want it warmer, lower the pressure and warmer air fills the cabin. Keep the valves closed for a while and the aircraft cools pretty rapidly and the air does too. Doesn't take much change in pressure to move the air, a few feet of altitude will do it, but the change is what is needed to make the air move at all.