A Case of Acute Epiglottitis from COVID-19 Infection

Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome--coronavirus2 (SARS-CoV-2) or COVID-19 disease can cause severe disease of the lower respiratory tract. Upper respiratory illness can also occur but symptoms are generally mild. Fatal upper airway disease like epiglottitis is rare but has been observed in those who have COVID-19 disease. In this report, we present a case of acute epiglottitis in a young male with known COVID-19 disease who presented to the emergency department with throat tightening after having sore throat for three days. Microbiological workup was negative however C1 deficiency was discovered. It is possible that viral illness triggered an episode of epiglottitis in a patient who had a predisposition for angioedema.