Croup

• Characterized by barking cough, hoarse voice, dyspnea & inspiratory stridor
• Prominent/audible stridor w/ marked retractions may be indicative of impending respiratory obstruction

Diphtheria

• Characterized by malaise, sore throat, anorexia, & low-grade fever
• Pharyngeal exam shows a typical gray-white membrane adherent to the tissue that bleeds when attempted to be removed, w/c establishes the diagnosis of diphtheria vs epiglottitis
• W/ insidious course but sudden respiratory obstruction may occur

Tracheitis

• Patient appears febrile & symptoms mimics epiglottitis especially in patients previously on antibiotic therapy

Other Bacterial Infections

• Retropharyngeal abscess, uvulitis, peritonsillar abscess
• Usually ruled-out by radiographic findings & direct examination

Other Noninfectious Diagnoses

• Foreign body aspiration
• Hereditary angioedema