Tracheitis

Alternative names:

acute bacterial tracheitis; bacterial tracheitis

Treatment:

The child often needs to have an airway or breathing tube placed (endotracheal tube). Antibiotics are given through a vein, usually a type of penicillin or one of the cephalosporins. Oxygen is usually given, and the blood gases are monitored to be sure that the child is breathing adequately.

Expectations (prognosis):

Full recovery is expected if the patient can be brought to a medical facility in time.

Complications:

• airway obstruction with cardiorespiratory arrest and possibly death--the breathing stops, then the heartbeat stops
• toxic shock syndrome (only if the organism is Staphylococcus)

Calling your health care provider:

Go to the emergency room if your child has had a recent upper respiratory infection and suddenly develops a high fever, worsening cough, and breathing difficulty. This is a true emergency and requires immediate medical attention.