What symptom is commonly seen in a child with acute epiglottitis?

In a child with acute epiglottitis, drooling of saliva is a commonly observed symptom. This occurs due to severe inflammation of the epiglottis and surrounding tissues, leading to difficulty in swallowing and a feeling of discomfort that prevents the child from swallowing saliva. As a result, the saliva accumulates in the mouth, causing drooling.

Other characteristics of acute epiglottitis may include a high fever, sore throat, difficulty breathing, and a preference for sitting upright to ease discomfort. The drooling can be a key clinical feature that helps differentiate epiglottitis from other respiratory issues, as children with this condition often exhibit an inability to swallow effectively.

In contrast, while increased thirst and lethargy may be symptoms associated with a viral illness or dehydration, they are not hallmark signs of acute epiglottitis. Similarly, bloody diarrhea is not relevant to this condition and points towards gastrointestinal issues rather than a respiratory one. Thus, drooling serves as a critical clinical indicator in diagnosing acute epiglottitis.