RPA is a relatively uncommon illness, and therefore may not receive early diagnosis in children presenting with stiff neck, malaise, difficulty swallowing, or other symptoms listed below.

[2] Fatalities normally occur from patients not receiving treatment immediately and suffocating prior to knowing that anything serious was wrong.

[citation needed] RPA is usually caused by a bacterial infection originating from the nasopharynx, tonsils, sinuses, adenoids, molar teeth or middle ear.

In complex cases, an emergency tracheotomy may be required to prevent upper airway obstruction caused by edema in the neck.

[citation needed] High-dose intravenous antibiotics are required in order to control the infection and reduce the size of the abscess prior to surgery.