Home :: Family Health :: Tracheitis Tracheitis - Tracheitis symptom, treatment, causes
Tracheitis is an inflammation of the trachea (wind pipe), usually due to viral infection. Tracheitis is often associated with LARYNGITIS and BRONCHITIS. The usual symptoms are hoarseness and a dry cough, which usually subside in a few days and need no treatment apart from rest and perhaps cough relief.
Tracheitis is a bacterial infection of the trachea (wind pipe) capable of producing airway obstruction . Tracheitis occurs most commonly in children under age 3, but it can occur in children as old as age 8. Incidence of the disease is unknown, but it affects males and females equally. One of the most common causes is Staphylococcus aureus and often follows an upper respiratory infection. It is the most serious in young children, possibly because of the relatively small size of the trachea. The most frequent sign is the rapid development of stridor . It is occasionally confused with croup.
Causes of Tracheitis
The common Causes of Tracheitis :
- Streptococcal species, especially S pyogenes.
- Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) (This cause is less common since the introduction of the Hib vaccine.)
- Moraxella catarrhalis (Recent reports suggest it is a leading cause of bacterial tracheitis.)
Symptoms of Tracheitis
Some common Symptoms of Tracheitis :
- Fever .
- Increasing deep or barking croup-like cough following a previous upper respiratory infection.
- Very sick-looking child (toxic).
- Breathing difficulty , increasing in severity over time
- Crowing sound when the child inhales (inspiratory stridor ).
- Intercostal retractions (the muscles between the ribs pull in as the child attempts to breathe).
Treatment of Tracheitis
- Treatment with antibiotics.
- Rest.
|
