Lawrence Chow / ENT Doctor
6 Warning Signs that Can Indicate A Child May Have Tracheitis
Tracheitis or an infection of the trachea is usually occurring when someone has an upper respiratory infection. It causes the airways to narrow.
The airways of small children can swell quickly, making it difficult for them to breathe. If your child’s trachea becomes completely blocked, it can lead to respiratory arrest and death
The trachea of little children can swell and narrow very quickly and it can be very difficult for them to breath. If a child’s airway becomes completely blocked, it can result to shock, respiratory arrest, organ failure and even death.
It is imperative that the child be brought right away to the doctor once they exhibit the following signs:
Croup Sounding Cough
If the child is recently having an upper respiratory infection, an increasing deep or barking croup cough may be something to watch for as this may be a sign of an inflamed trachea. It is likely that the bacteria may be causing tracheitis.
Difficulty in Breathing
It can be observed that children who have tracheitis are in a state of labored breathing. This means they put in too much effort just to breathe. Without helping it, they may be unable to do so.
Stridor
Inspiratory stridor is already considered a medical emergency as it signifies a blockage in the airways.
This must be treated right away to prevent the airway from closing completely.
The ones at a higher risk of airway blockage are children because they have narrower airways than adults.
Foreign objects, swollen tissues of the throat or upper airway, or a spasm of the airway muscles or the vocal cords may be blocking the airway.
Tracheitis is one of the most common causes of acute stridor in children.
Wheezing
Wheezing when breathing out is a symptom of tracheitis.
It is often confused with stridor or a single pitch, inspiratory sound that is produced by large airways with severe narrowing. The difference is that wheezing is like a musical sound and is produced expiratory by airways of any size.
Wheezing is a sign that the child is having breathing difficulties.
Fever Higher than 39°C
High fever may be accompanied by croup-like symptoms like barking cough and stridor but patients with bacterial tracheitis do not respond to standard croup therapy.
A fever is usually a sign that your child’s body is trying to fight an illness or infection. In the case of tracheitis, the child is fighting of the bacterial infection.
Cyanosis
When the skin becomes a bluish color, the symptom is called
cyanosis or blue lips is caused by a shortage of oxygen in the blood. This usually occurs drastically when somebody is choking.
If it is subtle and gradual, it may be due to chronic underlying conditions such as lung diseases or chronic heart defects.
Blue lips can indicate that the child has tracheitis and his ability to breathe is deteriorating
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Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
http://www.hkentspecialist.hk
Tracheitis: Annoyance or Dangerous Condition?
Tracheitis is an infection of the trachea, which is more commonly known as the windpipe. An infection in this part of the anatomy may seem like an annoyance, such as when a performance of “Manon Lescaut” by the noted soprano María José Siri was canceled due to tracheitis. But this isn’t as minor as it may seem at first. Hayden wrestling coach Chad Jones died of this infection because it was left unchecked. He thought that it was merely strep throat, and found out too late that it was tracheitis.
Tracheitis in Children and Adults
Although tracheitis is more known to strike children, these 2 examples show that it can affect adults as well. It is true that it’s more dangerous in children, because they have a smaller trachea and the swelling blocks the windpipe more easily. Yet as the case of Coach Chad Jones shows, it can also be fatal.
Causes and Symptoms
Most cases of tracheitis occur following a bout with the common cold or flu. At first the problem may be signified with a runny nose, a cough, or a low-grade fever. But then the bacteria can spread to the trachea and cause an infection, and this will then lead to breathing difficulties.
The more common symptoms afterwards include high fever, a deep severe cough, wheezing, nasal flaring, and a blue tinge to their skin called cyanosis. Stridor may also develop, and this is the high-pitched sound the patient may make when they breathe. When you have stridor, it’s a sign that the infection has turned serious and that the airway is already partially obstructed. This is a certain sign that medical attention is warranted.
Treatment Options
If left untreated, the condition may block the trachea completely, leading to respiratory arrest and death. If the infection was caused by the S. aureus bacteria, toxic shock syndrome may also develop. This is a condition that can lead to shock, organ failure, and death.
These reasons signify the need for prompt diagnosis and treatment. Once tracheitis has been diagnosed, the doctor can give the patient antibiotics to kill the bacteria. These are typically administered intravenously.
Clearing the airway will also be a priority. To help the patient breathe, the doctor may have to insert an endotracheal tube into the trachea of the patient. This is called the intubation procedure. The tube, after it has been put into its proper position, will then be connected to a ventilator. This will help improve the lung function while the patient is recovering from the infection.
Conclusion
Tracheitis must be treated by an ENT doctor as quickly as possible, even though it may seem like an annoying problem at first. If it is not treated right away, it can lead to serious complications—including death.
If you suffer an ENT problem, it is suggested to consult an ENT doctor for the appropriate ENT treatment. Please contact us for an appointment of our ENT services and consulation at 3100 0555.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
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