Which of the following is a sign of epiglottitis?

Excessive drooling is a classic sign of epiglottitis, which is an inflammation of the epiglottis that can obstruct the airway. This condition is particularly concerning in children, as it can lead to rapid deterioration of their ability to breathe. Drooling occurs due to difficulty swallowing and the patient's preference to keep their mouth open to ease breathing, which can result in pooling saliva. This is in contrast to the typical behavior of children with other upper airway issues, where swallowing may not be as significantly impaired.

Other symptoms associated with epiglottitis typically include a high fever, stridor, and a preference for sitting upright (tripod position). A sore throat can be present but is not as distinctive for epiglottitis as excessive drooling. While croup and laryngospasm may involve respiratory symptoms, they do not commonly present with drooling as a prominent feature. In summary, excessive drooling is a crucial and distinguishing sign of epiglottitis, highlighting the severity of the airway obstruction.