tracheitis (redirected from bacterial tracheitis)

tracheitis

Inflammation and infection of the trachea. Inhaled irritants can injure the tracheal lining and increase the chance of infection (bacterial or viral). Acute infections, usually bacterial, produce fever, fatigue, and swelling of the tracheal lining but generally do no great damage. Chronic infections, promoted by irritants such as heavy smoking and alcohol abuse, cause progressive tissue degeneration and scarring.