Risk factors

Certain factors increase the risk of developing epiglottitis, including:

• Being male. Epiglottitis affects more males than females.
• Having a weakened immune system. If your immune system has been weakened by illness or medication, you're more susceptible to the bacterial infections that may cause epiglottitis.
• Lacking adequate vaccination. Delayed or skipped immunizations can leave a child vulnerable to Hib and increases the risk of epiglottitis.