Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Tracheitis symptoms include a cough similar to croup, fever, and wheezing. It may also cause a blue tinge to lips, nails, and skin—a dangerous sign that the body is not getting enough oxygen.
Tracheitis is a medical emergency. Children with tracheitis may need a temporary breathing tube (intubation), treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU), and intravenous (IV) antibiotics.
This article discusses tracheitis. It explains the causes and symptoms of trachea infections, their treatment, and signs requiring emergency care.
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Causes of Tracheitis
Tracheitis often begins as a viral infection of the upper airways, which sets the stage for a secondary bacterial infection. Bacteria most commonly involved in tracheitis include:
Also Known AsTracheitis is also known as:Bacterial croupLaryngotracheobronchitisTracheobronchitis
Also Known As
Tracheitis is also known as:Bacterial croupLaryngotracheobronchitisTracheobronchitis
Tracheitis is also known as:
Tracheitis is much less common in adults, but the risk is higher in those who have HIV/AIDS, a weak immune system, or diabetes. It can occur from atracheostomy, a procedure that creates a breathing hole in the trachea through the neck, and mechanical ventilator use.
While bacteria is often the culprit, fungal infections, such asAspergillusandZygomycetes, can causetracheostomy-associated tracheitis. Most adult cases of tracheitis occur in patients who are already hospitalized.
Symptoms of Tracheitis
Symptoms of tracheitis vary from person to person and may include:
Tracheitis is a life-threatening condition that requires medical attention. If your child is experiencing stridor or cyanosis, seek emergency medical treatment or call 9-1-1.
What Are the Symptoms in Adults?Tracheitis symptoms in adults are similar to those in children and may include:Coughing up bloodA croupy coughDifficulty breathingA high feverA hoarse voiceSore throatStridor (high-pitched, whistling when taking in a breath)Wheezing
What Are the Symptoms in Adults?
Tracheitis symptoms in adults are similar to those in children and may include:Coughing up bloodA croupy coughDifficulty breathingA high feverA hoarse voiceSore throatStridor (high-pitched, whistling when taking in a breath)Wheezing
Tracheitis symptoms in adults are similar to those in children and may include:
How to Tell the Difference Between Tracheitis and Croup
A “croupy cough” is a hallmark symptom of viral croup that may also be present in tracheitis. It is often described as “barking,” “brassy,” or resembling a seal’s bark.
This cough makes it easy to confuse the two illnesses. The following features can help distinguish tracheitis from croup.
CroupAffects children ages 3 months to 5 yearsSymptoms progressively worsenCough does not produce phlegmFever is usually mild though may be as high as 104 FStridor may occur with activityResponds well to treatment with humidified oxygen and inhaled racemic epinephrineTracheitisAffects children ages 3 to 8 yearsSymptoms come on quicklyCough may or may not be productiveFever of 102 F or higherStridor occurs at restDoes not respond well to treatment with humidified oxygen and inhaled racemic epinephrine
CroupAffects children ages 3 months to 5 yearsSymptoms progressively worsenCough does not produce phlegmFever is usually mild though may be as high as 104 FStridor may occur with activityResponds well to treatment with humidified oxygen and inhaled racemic epinephrine
Affects children ages 3 months to 5 years
Symptoms progressively worsen
Cough does not produce phlegm
Fever is usually mild though may be as high as 104 F
Stridor may occur with activity
Responds well to treatment with humidified oxygen and inhaled racemic epinephrine
TracheitisAffects children ages 3 to 8 yearsSymptoms come on quicklyCough may or may not be productiveFever of 102 F or higherStridor occurs at restDoes not respond well to treatment with humidified oxygen and inhaled racemic epinephrine
Affects children ages 3 to 8 years
Symptoms come on quickly
Cough may or may not be productive
Fever of 102 F or higher
Stridor occurs at rest
Does not respond well to treatment with humidified oxygen and inhaled racemic epinephrine
How Is Tracheitis Diagnosed?
Tracheitis is a diagnosis based on symptom history, physical examination, and testing. Diagnostic tests that your healthcare provider may perform include:
During these procedures, your healthcare provider will be using the findings to help differentiate fromepiglottitis, another relatively rare disorder that may require rescue interventions for breathing.
How Is Tracheitis Treated?
Aggressive treatment early on is important in properly managing tracheitis. Initial treatments will usually require admission into an ICU and may include the following:
Laryngoscopy
Laryngoscopy is an exam of the back of your throat. This can be done while awake using a tool with a small mirror and a light.
In some cases, a more advanced laryngoscopy may be needed. This is done under general anesthesia and uses a tube called a laryngoscope.
During this procedure, your healthcare provider will clear secretions and membranes from the airway to prevent obstruction.
Intubation
A breathing tube may be placed (intubated) to improve oxygen intake in people with tracheitis. A breathing tube will allow the ICU nurses to perform aggressive airway suctioning to keep breathing as comfortably as possible.
Antibiotics
People who are allergic to those antibiotics may be treated with vancomycin or clindamycin plus levofloxacin or ciprofloxacin. If cultures come back resistant to these antibiotics, they may be changed to a different regimen.
Antifungals
In the case of fungal tracheitis infections likeAspergillusorZygomycetes, treatment includes IV antifungal medications, such as Vfend IV (voriconazole).
Summary
Tracheitis is a rare, life-threatening infection of the trachea. More common in children ages 3 to 8, it can also occur in adults who have a tracheostomy, are immunocompromised, or are on a ventilator.
In children, tracheitis is usually a complication of a viral chest infection. A secondary bacterial infection can occur, causing airway swelling that restricts breathing. In adults, tracheitis can be due to a bacterial or fungal infection.
Symptoms of tracheitis—a croup-like cough, fever, difficulty breathing, stridor, wheezing, and cyanosis—warrant immediate medical attention.
In many cases, children with tracheitis will require a breathing tube and close monitoring in the ICU. IV antibiotics or antifungal medications are needed to clear the infection.
With prompt treatment, most children with tracheitis make a complete recovery.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Tracheitis.Burton LV, Lofgren DH, Silberman M.Bacterial tracheitis. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.Blot M, Bonniaud-Blot P, Favrolt N, Bonniaud P, Chavanet P, Piroth L.Update on childhood and adult infectious tracheitis.Med Mal Infect. 2017;47(7):443–52. doi:10.1016/j.medmal.2017.06.006American Academy of Pediatrics: HealthyChildren.Croup and your young child.Bhatia R.Bacterial tracheitis. Merck Manual Professional Version.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Laryngoscopy.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Tracheitis.Burton LV, Lofgren DH, Silberman M.Bacterial tracheitis. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.Blot M, Bonniaud-Blot P, Favrolt N, Bonniaud P, Chavanet P, Piroth L.Update on childhood and adult infectious tracheitis.Med Mal Infect. 2017;47(7):443–52. doi:10.1016/j.medmal.2017.06.006American Academy of Pediatrics: HealthyChildren.Croup and your young child.Bhatia R.Bacterial tracheitis. Merck Manual Professional Version.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Laryngoscopy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Tracheitis.Burton LV, Lofgren DH, Silberman M.Bacterial tracheitis. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.Blot M, Bonniaud-Blot P, Favrolt N, Bonniaud P, Chavanet P, Piroth L.Update on childhood and adult infectious tracheitis.Med Mal Infect. 2017;47(7):443–52. doi:10.1016/j.medmal.2017.06.006American Academy of Pediatrics: HealthyChildren.Croup and your young child.Bhatia R.Bacterial tracheitis. Merck Manual Professional Version.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Laryngoscopy.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Tracheitis.
Burton LV, Lofgren DH, Silberman M.Bacterial tracheitis. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
Blot M, Bonniaud-Blot P, Favrolt N, Bonniaud P, Chavanet P, Piroth L.Update on childhood and adult infectious tracheitis.Med Mal Infect. 2017;47(7):443–52. doi:10.1016/j.medmal.2017.06.006
American Academy of Pediatrics: HealthyChildren.Croup and your young child.
Bhatia R.Bacterial tracheitis. Merck Manual Professional Version.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Laryngoscopy.
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