Differential Diagnosis
Diphtheria
- Characterized by malaise, sore throat, anorexia, & low-grade fever
- Within 2-3 days, pharyngeal exam may show a typical gray-white membrane adherent to the tissue that bleeds when attempted to be removed
- With insidious course but sudden respiratory obstruction may occur
- Characterized by sudden onset of high fever, dysphagia, drooling & anxious appearance
- Patient prefers to sit forward in sniffing position
- Barking cough is rarely observed
- Patient appears febrile, toxic & gives poor response to Epinephrine
- Foreign body
- Retropharyngeal abscess
- Hereditary angioedema