[Acute respiratory distress].

Respiratory distress and respiratory failure are to be distinguished, although both terms are often used synonymously. The most frequent causes of respiratory distress are summarized, the emphasis being placed on the distinction of acute epiglottitis and croup syndrome (i.e. viral croup, spasmodic croup and bacterial laryngotracheitis). The importance of correct decisions for triage and first life-saving measures is underlined.