Laryngotracheitis: what it is, symptoms and causes of the acute form

Laryngotracheitis is inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx and the initial sections of the trachea. Acute laryngotracheitis is most often caused by a virus, and in most patients it runs a mild course. Below — what happens to the airways, how to recognize the symptoms and when the conversation about the illness stops being calm.

What laryngotracheitis is

The larynx and trachea form a single airway, so inflammation rarely stays in one area. The mucous membrane of the vocal cords and the upper trachea swells, the lumen narrows — for the voice this is like a mute in the bell of an instrument.

The disease can be acute or chronic; chronic develops when the cause of the acute form is not eliminated. A separate form is acute stenosing laryngotracheitis, or false croup, in which narrowing of the larynx threatens breathing.

Causes of inflammation of the larynx and trachea

The leading cause is a virus, most often parainfluenza. Less often, inflammation of the larynx and trachea is associated with allergy and reflux.

The mucous membrane is damaged by overcooling and overheating, mouth breathing, dusty air, injuries, nodules and polyps on the vocal cords. Vocal strain is familiar to singers and teachers.

In general infections such as influenza and measles, the pathogen colonizes the mucous membrane, and then the inflammation involves the larynx and trachea entirely. The process may be diffuse or limited to the epiglottis, vocal folds, walls of the subglottic space.

Symptoms of laryngotracheitis

The illness often begins as a cold — with fever, runny nose and cough. Then the vocal cords and trachea swell, hoarseness, a barking cough and a high-pitched noisy sound on inspiration appear; at night the symptoms intensify and last from three to five days.

• hoarseness up to complete loss of voice;
• dryness, tickling and burning in the throat;
• dry barking cough, later with sputum;
• difficulty breathing and pain when swallowing;
• fever up to 37.4°, weakness, enlarged lymph nodes under the jaw and on the neck.

On examination the mucous membrane looks markedly reddened; in complicated influenza, crimson-red spots are visible on it. Sometimes white plaques appear on the throat, headache, and in rare cases — cyanosis of the skin.

Acute laryngotracheitis and how it differs from other diseases of the larynx

In isolated laryngitis, redness may be limited to the epiglottis. When inflammation spreads to the trachea, the cough intensifies and sputum appears — this is already laryngotracheitis.

Other diseases produce a similar picture: runny nose, sneezing and fever — a cold; wheezing and refusal to eat — bronchiolitis; coughing fits with a "whoop" on inspiration — whooping cough. Only a doctor can distinguish them from one another.

With adherence to the regimen prescribed by the doctor, acute laryngitis usually lasts 7–10 days. In children under 6–8 years, the acute form may take the form of false croup.

How the doctor makes the diagnosis

The doctor assesses the general condition, voice, cough and difficulty breathing. In the blood, in acute inflammation, the white blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate rise.

Some children are referred to hospital — in a more severe condition or at an age under three months. The decision is made by the doctor.

Complications and warning signs requiring urgent help

False croup is dangerous: swelling of the larynx is combined with spasm of the glottis, and the lumen narrows so much that breathing becomes sharply difficult. The attack usually comes at night, during sleep: the child wakes up in sweat, is restless, the lips turn blue, the cough is barking; after 20–30 minutes he calms down and falls asleep, but the attack may recur the next night.

Children from six months to three years are affected more often and more severely, with a peak in autumn and winter. The illness more often runs a mild course, but rare cases interfere with breathing — then one must immediately seek help.

Hoarseness and a barking cough are not in themselves a reason to call an ambulance; 103 or 112 — if breathing is difficult (groaning is heard, the skin under the ribs is drawn in), the skin, lips or tongue turn blue, pale or become mottled, the person is sleepier than usual and hard to wake, unusually quiet and motionless, lethargic and not reacting as usual, cannot calm down against a background of lack of air, has drooling, difficulty swallowing or prefers to sit rather than lie down.

The material is for reference: it explains the essence of the disease but does not replace a doctor's consultation — the decision on help remains with the specialist.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer