Tracheitis is inflammation of the trachea (windpipe), which carries air between the throat and the bronchi leading to the lungs. It commonly causes difficulty breathing and a noisy breathing sound called stridor.
Tracheitis is rare and occurs mainly in children, most often due to viral or bacterial infections, particularly bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species.
Treatment for tracheitis is guided by a pulmonologist, pediatrician, or primary care provider. It usually involves antibiotics based on the microorganism identified.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of tracheitis are:
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A wheezing or harsh sound when breathing in, called stridor.
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Difficulty breathing.
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High fever.
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A painful cough with mucus.
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Tiredness or general malaise.
Tracheitis symptoms can vary in severity depending on the child’s overall health and whether the child has a tracheostomy.
It is important to identify and treat tracheitis quickly because it can lead to a sudden drop in blood pressure, respiratory failure, heart problems, and sepsis, which happens when bacteria enter the bloodstream and can be life-threatening.
Confirming a diagnosis
Tracheitis is diagnosed by a pulmonologist, pediatrician, or primary care provider based on symptoms, medical history, and a physical exam.
Additional tests may also be ordered, such as laryngoscopy, microbiological testing of tracheal secretions, and a neck X-ray.
A neck X-ray is mainly used to tell tracheitis apart from croup, which is also a respiratory infection.
Possible causes
According to the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information), bacterial tracheitis has been linked to bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, and Pseudomonas.
Bacterial tracheitis usually develops after a viral infection of the respiratory tract. It is also more common in children who have a tracheostomy.
Treatment options
Treatment for tracheitis should be guided by a pediatrician, pediatric pulmonologist, primary care provider, or pulmonologist to eliminate the bacteria and relieve symptoms.
The main treatments for tracheitis are:
1. Orotracheal intubation
Orotracheal intubation may be done by a doctor to help with breathing.
This treatment is done in the hospital, preferably in the operating room or a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), because airway swelling can make the procedure more difficult and surgery may be needed.
2. Antibiotics
Antibiotics such as cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, or vancomycin may be used to fight and eliminate the bacteria causing the infection.
The type of antibiotic is chosen based on the specific microorganism identified and its sensitivity profile, and it is usually prescribed for about 10 to 14 days.
3. Measures to relieve respiratory discomfort
Measures such as nebulizer treatments or providing oxygen through a nasal catheter may also be recommended by the doctor to help relieve breathing discomfort caused by tracheitis.