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Tracheitis - Treatment

Alternative Names

Bacterial tracheitis; Acute bacterial tracheitis

Treatment:

The child often needs to have a tube placed into the airways to help with breathing. This is called an endotracheal tube.

The child will receive antibiotics through a vein and oxygen. The health care team will closely monitor the child's breathing.

Expectations (prognosis):

With prompt treatment, the child should recover.

Complications:

Airway obstruction -- can lead to death
Toxic shock syndrome -- if caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus

Calling your health care provider:

Tracheitis is an emergency medical condition. Go to the emergency room if your child has had a recent upper respiratory infection and suddenly has a high fever, a cough that gets worse, and trouble breathing.

Reviewed last on: 10/10/2008
Alan Lipkin, MD, Otolaryngologist, Private Practice, Denver, Colorado. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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