Tracheitis

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Tracheitis
Classification and external resources
ICD-10 J04.0, J42.
ICD-9 464.1
MedlinePlus 000988
eMedicine ped/200 
MeSH D014136

Tracheitis (also known as Bacterial tracheitis or Acute bacterial tracheitis) is a bacterial infection of the trachea and is capable of producing airway obstruction.

One of the most common causes is Staphylococcus aureus and often follows a recent viral upper respiratory infection. It is the most serious in young children, possibly because of the relatively small size of the trachea that gets easily blocked by swelling. The most frequent sign is the rapid development of stridor. It is occasionally confused with croup.

[edit] Symptoms

  • Increasing deep or barking croup cough following a previous upper respiratory infection
  • Crowing sound when inhaling (inspiratory stridor)
  • 'scratchy' feeling in the throat
  • Chest pain
  • Fever
  • Ear ache
  • Trouble breathing
  • Intercostal retractions (the muscles between the ribs pull in as the child attempts to breathe)