A child with stridor and drooling sits upright, refusing to swallow — suspected epiglottitis. Haemophilus influenzae type B once caused epiglottitis (swollen cherry-red epiglottis threatening the airway) and meningitis in children — Hib vaccine nearly erased both. Never upset the child or force a tongue depressor — the airway can close; secure it in the OT with anesthesia ready. Vaccines made this emergency rare — the sitting, drooling child is the textbook picture.