Question 132

Question:

A 4 year old girl presents with runny nose, mild fever, distinct “barking cough” and inspiratory stridor. Which of the following conditions is she most likely to have?

Correct Answer: D.  Laryngotracheitis

Infectious agents in the lungs tend to have predilections for particular locations in the respiratory system. Acute laryngotracheitis, or croup, is caused by respiratory viruses such as parainfluenza and most commonly affects young children. Stridor occurs because the inflamed vocal cords collapse with the negative pressure of inspiration. Bronchitis affects the large airways, impairing normal ciliary function and causing productive cough. Bronchiolitis is caused by respiratory viruses such as RSV, affects smaller airways, and rarely affects patients older than an age of 2 years. Bronchiectasis is bronchial dilation and mucus plugging that occurs after chronic inflammation, such as in cystic fibrosis or recurrent pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection of the alveoli, which typically causes productive cough.