Tracheitis in adults
What kind of disease is this “tracheitis”? We analyze together with the general practitioner the features of this disease, its main causes, symptoms and methods of treating tracheitis in adults

On average, adults fall ill with acute respiratory diseases (ARI) up to four times a year, and children twice as many – up to 9. This ailment is so common that people no longer pay due attention to treatment and are used to carrying on their feet1. No one can be surprised by the cough that occurs against the background of “autumn-winter” diseases. It is a dry and painful cough that is one of the symptoms of tracheitis, a common disease of the upper respiratory tract. 

What is tracheitis

Tracheitis is an inflammation of the lining of the trachea, the “tube” that connects the larynx and bronchi. When viruses, bacteria or allergens enter the human body, the tracheal mucosa becomes inflamed and tracheitis develops.

The disease can be chronic and acute. The latter type is much more common. With an unfavorable course, acute tracheitis in adults can affect the bronchi and lung tissue. This will lead to the development of serious complications: tracheobronchitis or pneumonia. 

Causes of tracheitis in adults 

Specialists distinguish several types of tracheitis, and each has its own causes.

  • Influenza, acute respiratory infections and SARS provoke tracheitis of viral origin.
  • Bacterial tracheitis is caused by pathogenic bacteria: pneumococcus, Staphylococcus aureus and the like.
  • In rare cases, tracheitis is a complication of viral diseases, such as measles, chickenpox, or scarlet fever.
  • If we talk about the allergic nature of the disease, then the reason lies in the ingress of dust, chemicals and other allergens into the respiratory tract.
  • Frequent hypothermia and irritation of the larynx can result in chronic tracheitis.

The risk of developing tracheitis is increased in people who smoke. 

Symptoms of tracheitis in adults

The first to manifest itself is debilitating cough against the backdrop of general fatigue. He is accompanied by a sore sore throat or burning in the chest. The patient begins to cough more in the morning and at night because of the accumulated sputum. In the early days, it forms quite a bit, so otolaryngologists characterize the cough as dry, unproductive. As the disease develops in 2-4 days, the sputum liquefies and leaves more easily. The cough becomes less frequent and turns into a wet, productive one, that is, after coughing it becomes easier. 

The cervical lymph nodes are painful when pressed and enlarged. Rapid fatigue, body aches and headache are noted. Often the temperature rises within 38 degrees. All these symptoms are typical for respiratory diseases, so only a specialist can diagnose tracheitis in adults. 

Treatment of tracheitis in adults

Treatment methods for acute tracheitis depend on the nature of the disease – after a thorough diagnosis, the attending physician will prescribe an antiviral, antibiotics or antihistamines (i.e., antiallergic drugs). Inhalations for tracheitis and antitussives are used exclusively as directed by a doctor. The main goal is to reduce coughing fits. Expectorants help to expel mucus.

Do not ignore the standard recommendations for colds and flu: plenty of warm drinks and bed rest will help the patient recover faster.  

Diagnostics 

It is difficult to independently determine which of the respiratory diseases struck the patient because of similar symptoms. At the first visit, the specialist will examine the mucous membrane of the throat, listen to the breath and listen to the patient’s complaints. To confirm the diagnosis, the therapist may prescribe a complete blood and urine test, culture, or sputum analysis to rule out bacterial and viral damage to the respiratory tract.

If we are talking about allergic tracheitis, you may need an additional laboratory examination to clarify the cause of the disease. There is a possibility that the patient will be referred for a consultation with narrow specialists – an otolaryngologist, pulmonologist, allergist and physiotherapist. That is why the treatment of tracheitis in adults should be under the supervision of a specialist. 

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Drugs for the treatment of tracheitis in adults 

Medicines for the treatment of tracheitis at home are selected by the attending doctor.

  • Sputum-thinning drugs will help make the cough productive faster, such as ACC or Ambrobene.
  • Antipyretic and anti-inflammatory will help in the fight against other manifestations of the disease.
  • Antibiotics may be prescribed to kill the causative agent of bacterial tracheitis.
  • Antiviral drugs are used to suppress the virus that has infected the tracheal mucosa. 

Antibiotics for tracheitis

Broad-spectrum antibiotics are effective for treating tracheitis in adults at home. A specialist can choose a drug against the most common pathogens: staphylococcus and streptococcus. It is the right treatment regimen that is the key to minimal risks of complications and a speedy recovery. Taking antibiotics on your own, without a doctor’s recommendation, is dangerous.

Inhalations for tracheitis

One of the effective auxiliary measures on the way to recovery from tracheitis is inhalation. Portable nebulizers are publicly available in pharmacies – small devices for inhalation at home. The doctor will recommend the drug and dosage after an internal examination, and the patient will be able to perform the procedures on his own. Thanks to the design of the nebulizer, medicines immediately enter the lesion, helping to cure tracheitis.

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Prevention of tracheitis in adults at home 

There are no specific measures to prevent the development of tracheitis. High-quality nutrition and an active lifestyle help to strengthen the immune system along with hardening. These measures are aimed at preventing many diseases, including respiratory infections. 

Popular questions and answers 

Is tracheitis contagious? 

It is possible to become infected only with viral tracheitis. Like other acute respiratory infections, tracheitis is transmitted by airborne droplets from person to person within about a week from the moment of illness. The virus enters the environment and infects other people when the sick person coughs. 

How to distinguish bronchitis from tracheitis?

Both diseases are accompanied by a dry cough, however, bronchitis affects the parts of the respiratory tract that are located below the trachea – the bronchi. For a specialist, an obvious indication of tracheitis will be the absence of wheezing when listening, typical of bronchitis.

Which doctor treats tracheitis? 

The primary examination of an adult with complaints of cough, enlarged lymph nodes and a general deterioration in the condition is carried out by a therapist. If necessary, he will refer the patient to specialized specialists: to an otolaryngologist, if there are signs of complications in the nasopharynx; to an allergist if the doctor suggests allergic tracheitis; to a pulmonologist if there is a suspicion of bronchitis and damage to other parts of the respiratory system. 

How much is the tracheitis treated?

If the patient sees a doctor in a timely manner, the treatment will not take more than two weeks. The acute phase of the disease lasts 2-4 days. As the sputum discharge improves while taking expectorant drugs, the patient becomes better. 
  1. Romanova E.L. Bronchitis and tracheitis. How to deal with it//AST. 2008.

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