Tracheitis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Tracheitis is a bacterial infection of the windpipe (trachea).

T Causes
P Bacterial tracheitis is most often caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. It often follows a viral upper respiratory infection. It affects mostly young children. This may be due to their tracheas being smaller and more easily blocked by swelling.

T Symptoms
P Symptoms include:
- Deep cough (similar to that caused by croup)
- Difficulty breathing
- High fever
- High-pitched breathing sound (stridor)

T Exams and Tests
P The health care provider will perform a physical exam and listen to the child's lungs. The muscles between the ribs may pull in as the child tries to breathe. This is called intercostal retractions.
P Tests that may be done to diagnose this condition include:
- Blood oxygen level
- Nasopharyngeal culture to look for bacteria
- Tracheal culture to look for bacteria
- X-ray of the trachea
- Tracheoscopy

T Treatment
P The child often needs to have a tube placed into the airways to help with breathing. This is called an endotracheal tube.
P The child will receive antibiotics through a vein. The health care team will closely monitor the child's breathing and use oxygen, if needed.

T Outlook (Prognosis)
P With prompt treatment, the child should recover.

T Possible Complications
P Complications may include:
- Airway obstruction (can lead to death)
- Toxic shock syndrome if the condition was caused by the bacteria staphylococcus

T When to Contact a Medical Professional
P Tracheitis is an emergency medical condition. Go to the emergency room right away if your child has had a recent upper respiratory infection and suddenly has a high fever, a cough that gets worse, or trouble breathing.

T Alternative Names
P Bacterial tracheitis; Acute bacterial tracheitis

T References
P Cukor J, Manno M. Pediatric respiratory emergencies: upper airway obstruction and infections. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 168.
P Meyer A. Pediatric infectious disease. In: Flint PW, Haughey BH, Lund V, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 197.
P Weiner DJ, Finder JD. Pulmonary disorders. In: Zitelli, BJ, McIntire SC, Norwalk AJ, eds. Atlas of Pediatric Physical Diagnosis . 6th ed.  Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 16.

T Review Date 8/29/2016
P Updated by: Tang Ho, MD, Assistant Professor, Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. team.

