Ex-paramedic Nikki Jurcutz’s warning about a health red flag for children that means they should see a doctor within five minutes
A former paramedic has warned of a health red flag in children which could be a sign they have been infected with a life-threatening disease.
Nikki Jurcutz, who was a paramedic with Ambulance Victoria for eight years, says excessive drooling in children can be a sign of epiglottitis.
The deadly infection is caused by a swelling of the epiglottis, a bulge in the body that covers the trachea.
Former paramedic Nikki Jurcutz (pictured) revealed a serious health warning that can sometimes occur in small children if they are infected with the deadly disease epiglottitis
Swelling of the glans penis – which acts like a flap to prevent air from entering the lungs – can cause major breathing difficulties in infants and young children.
One of the main symptoms of the infection, once very common in children, is excessive drooling.
Ms Jurcutz warned that young children should be seen by a doctor immediately if this is the case.
“I’m an ex-paramedic and I know that if your child suddenly starts drooling excessively, he needs to be seen by a doctor within five minutes,” Ms Jurcutz said in a video uploaded to Instagram.
‘If an infection causes the epiglottis to swell, it can prevent oxygen from getting to the lungs. Therefore, it is a medical emergency,” she said.
Although the disease is rare, children can die from the condition because the airways in their throat become blocked after the epiglottis swells and turns red.
Their condition can deteriorate as early as four to six hours after being infected with the disease.
They will have a very sore throat and unusually noisy breathing.
The video was posted on Tiny Hearts’ Instagram page on Sunday.
The organization, which was co-founded by Ms. Jurcutz, is committed to educating children about child safety.
Ms Jurcutz shared some symptoms of the disease in a video on the Tiny Hearts Instagram page (pictured)
Ms Jurcutz (pictured) worked as a paramedic for Ambulance Victoria for eight years
Most infants in Australia have been vaccinated against the disease with the Hib vaccine to protect against Haemophilus influenzae type b diseases, including epiglottitis.
These types of flu can affect various parts of the body, including the brain, throat and ears.
The Hib vaccine has reduced the risk of the disease among children as most children have been vaccinated against the flu.
Epiglottitis can also affect adults, who will also experience the same symptoms if infected with the disease.
Anyone with epiglottitis should be taken to the nearest medical emergency department.
To soften the impact of the infection, bystanders are urged to keep the infected person still and upright as this makes it easier for them to breathe.