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
• Headache
• Dizziness (light headed)
• Intercostal retractions

[edit] Treatment

In minor bacterial cases, it can be simply treated with a course of antibiotics. In more severe cases, it is treated by admission to an Intensive care unit and Intubation is performed and various monitors and tubes are used to check on the condition e.g. cardiac heart monitor chest drain so tension pneumothorax or pneumothorax or pneumonia doesn't form while ventilated.

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