Tracheitis

• increasing deep or barking croup-like cough following a previous upper respiratory infection
• crowing sound when the child inhales (inspiratory stridor)
• high fever
• very sick-looking child (toxic)
• breathing difficulty, increasing in severity over time
• intercostal retractions (the muscles between the ribs pull in as the child attempts to breathe)

• nasopharyngeal culture (shows Staphylococcus aureus or other organisms)
• tracheal culture (shows Staphylococcus aureus or other organisms)
• blood gasses (show decreased oxygen saturation, decreased pO2)
• X-ray of the trachea (shows narrowing of the tracheal airway, but normal epiglottis)
• purulent (pus-filled) tracheal secretions may be obtained while placing the breathing tube in the patient

Email this page  Printer friendly  Bookmark this page