Epiglottitis in children is a frequently lethal upper airway problem because of edema of the supraglottic larynx. Although epiglottitis in adults is less common, over 100 cases are in the otolaryngology literature. Five postpubertal patients in 1 yr with this diagnosis were seen in the hospital. The emphasis was on early endotracheal intubation in contrast to observation and tracheostomy if respiratory obstruction developed.