Final answer:
Epiglottitis is most commonly caused by a bacterial infection, particularly Haemophilus influenzae type B. Other bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Neisseria meningitidis may also cause similar infections but are not the primary cause of epiglottitis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Epiglottitis is an inflammation of the epiglottis, which is a flap of cartilage that covers the larynx during swallowing to prevent food from entering the respiratory tract.
The primary cause of epiglottitis is a bacterial infection, often by Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), although it can be caused by other bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus agalactiae, or Neisseria meningitidis. Hib used to be the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children before the introduction of the effective Hib vaccine.
Hib is capable of causing severe respiratory infections, including epiglottitis, particularly in children between 2 months and 5 years of age who have not been fully immunized or lack adequate immunity. While similar symptoms might be present in viral infections like influenza or bacterial conditions such as streptococcal pharyngitis, epiglottitis is specifically associated with bacterial agents.
Bacterial meningitis, which manifests with symptoms like fever, neck stiffness, and headache, can also be caused by these encapsulated bacteria. Although S. agalactiae and N. meningitidis can cause meningitis, they are not common causes of epiglottitis. Moreover, allergic reactions or genetic predispositions are not typically associated with the development of epiglottitis.