Tracheobronchitis

What is Tracheobronchitis?

Tracheobronchitis is the acute inflammation and swelling of the trachea and bronchi, the two tubes that carry air to the lungs. It is a type of lower respiratory tract infection commonly caused by a viral infection, including the common cold virus, or by a bacterial infection. Tracheobronchitis is commonly referred to as a “chest cold.”

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of tracheobronchitis include:

Fever
Coughing
Sore throat
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Chest pain and tightness
Runny nose
Body aches
Fatigue

Causes

Tracheobronchitis is most commonly caused by respiratory viruses, such as:

Influenza virus
Parainfluenza virus
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Adenovirus
Rhinovirus

Treatment

The treatment for tracheobronchitis is aimed at relieving symptoms and preventing complications. Treatment may include:

Rest
Over-the-counter medications to reduce fever and relieve pain, including ibuprofen and acetaminophen
Cough suppressant medications to help you get some rest
Inhaled medications to open the airways and reduce inflammation
Antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection
Antiviral medications to treat certain viral infections
Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation

Complications

Possible complications of tracheobronchitis include:

Wheezing
Infection of the lungs (pneumonia)
Severe breathing problems requiring hospitalization
Chronic bronchitis, which is inflammation of the bronchi that lasts longer than 3 months
Asthma flare-ups