Tracheitis is a bacterial infection that causes the windpipe to swell, making breathing difficult. Symptoms include a barking cough, itchy throat, fever, and chest pain. Emergency medical treatment may be necessary to prevent complete airway blockage.
Tracheitis is a condition in which the windpipe has become infected with certain types of bacteria. Sometimes referred to as bacterial tracheitis, the level of infection can be so severe that the trachea swells enough to inhibit airway function. It’s not unusual for this type of health problem to develop whenever an upper respiratory condition exists, such as a severe cold or croup. Addressing the infection causing the windpipe to swell is of primary importance, as well as clearing the partially or completely blocked airways as soon as possible.
Symptoms associated with this condition include developing a deeper and sharper cough, somewhat like the barking of a large dog. There is a constant itchy throat that is somewhat similar to that of a sore throat, though often more severe. As the windpipe is swollen, breathing becomes increasingly difficult. A person suffering from acute tracheitis will breathe with every breath, not unlike someone experiencing an asthma attack.
Other symptoms include developing a fever, as well as other types of pain and discomfort in the head and upper chest. Symptoms that tend to signal the start of an infection include a headache that doesn’t seem to go away and feeling dizzy or lightheaded. There is also the possibility of experiencing an earache in one or both ears.
Sufferers of tracheitis may also find that they experience some sort of unsettling pain or discomfort in the upper chest area. This can take the form of a aching sensation, usually after the barking cough has started. There may be some tingling, as well as some amount of tenderness in the area from the base of the neck and spreading through the upper chest region.
Patients who have difficulty breathing for any reason should consult a healthcare professional. Because the swelling can progress rapidly, getting emergency medical treatment can help stop the infection before the windpipe swells to the point where it completely blocks the airway. It’s not unusual for medical professionals to insert a breathing tube to make sure the patient can breathe while the drug is used to kill the infection that led to the swelling in the first place. In severe cases, the patient may also be given a drainage tube that helps remove fluid buildup in the infected area. This helps relieve some of the symptoms while also giving the medication time to start reducing the swelling.
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