What condition puts a 2-year-old child with fever and drooling at highest risk?

In a 2-year-old child presenting with fever and drooling, acute epiglottitis poses the highest risk due to its potential to cause severe airway obstruction. This condition is an inflammatory process of the epiglottis and surrounding tissues, often caused by bacterial infections, particularly Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) in unvaccinated children. The clinical presentation typically includes symptoms such as high fever, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), drooling, and stridor. The presence of drooling, in particular, indicates that the child may be unwilling to swallow due to throat pain or obstruction, further emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

In contrast, while acute appendicitis could cause fever, it does not typically present with drooling or immediate risk to the airway. Immune thrombocytopenia, though it may present in a pediatric patient, does not usually cause fever and drooling as primary symptoms. Cystic fibrosis exacerbation can lead to respiratory symptoms and infections, but it is less likely to present acutely with drooling and fever in a 2-year-old compared to the immediate and severe airway risk associated with epiglottitis. Therefore, acute epiglottitis stands out as the condition that warrants