# Tracheitis

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracheitis
> Source revision: 1335701238
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{{short description|Inflammation of the trachea}}
{{refimprove|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox medical condition (new)
 |name          = Tracheitis
 |synonym       = Inflammation of the trachea
 |image         = File:Blausen 0865 TracheaAnatomy.png
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 |alt           = An anatomical diagram of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lung roots on a white background. The larynx is located at the top of the image, it is colored a light gray to indicate that it is made of cartilage. The trachea extends down from the larynx as a pink colored tube that is encircled by the tracheal cartilages, which are a series of ring-like structures (also colored gray). The trachea terminates at the carina, which is a bifurcation where the trachea splits into the left and right primary bronchi. The each primary bronchi enters the corresponding lung at the lung roots, before then splitting further into the secondary bronchi. The right lung is colored a redder shade of pink than the trachea. The left lung is a bluer, almost purple, shade of pink. As is normal for anatomical images; the left side is depicted on the right of the image, and vice versa.
 |caption       = Anatomy of the trachea
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'''Tracheitis''' is an [inflammation](/source/inflammation) of the [trachea](/source/vertebrate_trachea).<ref>{{DorlandsDict|eight/000109827|Tracheitis}}</ref>
Although the trachea is usually considered part of the [lower respiratory tract](/source/lower_respiratory_tract),<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Patwa|first1=Apeksh|last2=Shah|first2=Amit|date=September 2015|title=Anatomy and physiology of respiratory system relevant to anaesthesia|journal=Indian Journal of Anaesthesia|volume=59|issue=9|pages=533–541|doi=10.4103/0019-5049.165849|issn=0019-5049|pmc=4613399|pmid=26556911 |doi-access=free }}</ref> in [ICD-10](/source/ICD-10) tracheitis is classified under "acute upper respiratory infections".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014|title=J04.1 Acute tracheitis|url=https://icd.who.int/browse10/2014/en#/J04|access-date=2020-08-08|website=ICD-10 Version}}</ref>

==Symptoms==
* Increasing deep or barking croup cough following a recent upper respiratory infection
* Crowing sound when inhaling (inspiratory [stridor](/source/stridor))
* 'Scratchy' feeling in the throat
* Chest pain
* Fever
* Ear ache
* Headache
* Dizziness (light headed)
* [Labored breathing](/source/Labored_breathing)

==Causes==

Bacterial tracheitis is a bacterial infection of the [trachea](/source/trachea) and is capable of producing airway obstruction.{{cn|date=November 2020}}

One of the most common causes is ''[Staphylococcus aureus](/source/Staphylococcus_aureus)'' and often follows a recent viral upper respiratory infection.  Bacterial tracheitis is a rare complication of influenza infection.<ref name=Cecil>{{cite book|last=medicine|first=s cecil|title=Goldman|date=25 July 2011 |publisher=Elsevier Saunders|location=Philadelphia|isbn=978-1-4377-2788-3|page=1326|edition=24th}}</ref> 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](/source/stridor).  It is occasionally confused with [croup](/source/croup).
If it is inflamed, a condition known as tracheitis can occur. In this condition there can be inflammation of the linings of the trachea. A condition called tracheo-bronchitis can be caused, when the mucous membrane of the trachea and bronchi swell. A collapsed trachea is formed as a result of defect in the cartilage, that makes the cartilage unable to support the trachea and results in dry hacking cough. In this condition there can be inflammation of the linings of the trachea. If the connective nerve tissues in the trachea degenerate it causes tracheomalacia. Infections to the trachea can cause tracheomegaly.{{cn|date=November 2020}}

==Diagnosis==
The diagnosis of tracheitis requires the direct vision of exudates or pseudomembranes on the trachea. X-ray findings may include subglottic narrowing. The priority is to secure the patient's airway, and to rule out croup and [epiglottitis](/source/epiglottitis) which may be fatal. Suspicion for tracheitis should be high in cases of onset of airway obstruction that do not respond to racemic epinephrine.{{cn|date=November 2020}}

== Treatment ==
In more severe cases, it is treated by administering intravenous antibiotics and may require admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) for intubation and supportive ventilation if the airway swelling is severe.  During an intensive care admission, various methods of invasive and non-invasive monitoring may be required, which may include ECG monitoring, oxygen saturation, capnography and arterial blood pressure monitoring.{{cn|date=November 2020}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Medical resources
| ICD10           = {{ICD10|J04.1}}, {{ICD10|J42}}
| ICD9            = {{ICD9|464.1}}
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| MedlinePlus     = 000988
| eMedicineSubj   = ped
| eMedicineTopic  = 200
| MeshID          = D014136
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{{Respiratory pathology}}

Category:Acute upper respiratory infections
Category:Human head and neck
Category:Chronic lower respiratory diseases
Category:Otorhinolaryngology

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Tracheitis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracheitis) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracheitis?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.