Browse categories and answer follow-up questions to refine your symptom profile.
Immediate priorities
Airway and sepsis first-pass
High-risk airway features
Stridor
Drooling
Muffled voice
Tripod positioning
Trismus limiting exam
Inability to handle secretions
Toxic appearance
Hypoxia
Rapid progression over hours
If high-risk airway features, activate ENT + anesthesia early
Awake strategy preference
Spontaneous ventilation preserved
Avoid paralytics until airway secured
Backup plans
Video laryngoscopy readiness
Surgical airway readiness
Monitoring and access
Continuous pulse oximetry
Cardiac monitoring
2 large-bore IVs
If shock physiology, initiate sepsis bundle pathway
Crystalloid 20 mL/kg bolus for hypotension or poor perfusion
Norepinephrine infusion if fluid-refractory hypotension
Key decision points
Stabilization gates before imaging
If airway risk, definitive airway or controlled OR airway before CT
If stable, CT neck with IV contrast as primary confirmatory test
Source control pathway
ENT consultation for all confirmed or strongly suspected cases
Operative drainage triggers
Airway compromise
Sepsis or persistent toxicity
Failure to improve on IV antibiotics within 24-48 hours
Large collection on imaging
Complications on imaging
Initial empiric therapy
Early antimicrobials after cultures when feasible
Broad polymicrobial coverage
Streptococci
Staphylococcus aureus
Oral anaerobes
Respiratory flora
If MRSA risk or severe disease, add MRSA-active agent
SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.