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Tracheitis - Symptom

Alternative Names

Bacterial tracheitis; Acute bacterial tracheitis

Symptoms:

Deep cough (similar to that caused by croup)
Difficulty breathing
High fever
High-pitched breathing sound (stridor)

Signs and tests:

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and listen to the child's lungs. The muscles between the ribs may pull in as the child tries to breathe. This is called intercostal retractions.

Tests that may be done to diagnose this condition include:

Blood oxygen level
Nasopharyngeal culture to look for bacteria
Tracheal culture to look for bacteria
X-ray of the trachea

Reviewed last on: 11/23/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Duncan NO. Infections of the airway in children. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2010:chap 197.

Manno M. Pediatric respiratory emergencies: Upper airway obstruction and infections. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2009:chap 166.

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