Uvulitis in three children: Etiology and respiratory distress

Uvulitis is an uncommonly reported disorder with the potential for significant morbidity. We describe three cases of uvulitis seen within a six month period in our emergency department. In two cases with respiratory distress, but without epiglottitis, Haemophilus influenzae was isolated from throat or blood cultures. The third case was associated with group A streptococcus tonsillitis and no respiratory compromise. Atypical presentations of upper airway infection with H. influenzae may be increasingly common.