What Is Tracheitis?
2. Symptoms
Patients first experience the familiar symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, including sore throat, runny nose, and cough. The symptoms may then worsen to include high fever, rapid breathing, bluish skin, barking cough, and a whistling sound when inhaling (inspiratory stridor).
Inside the body, white blood cell numbers rise as the larynx, trachea, and bronchi all become inflamed in an attempt to fight a growing bacterial infection. This immune response also triggers membranes inside the trachea to secrete mucus. These adherent or semi-adherent membranes further narrow the passageway for air and make it even more difficult to breathe.
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