Bacterial tracheitis isn’t considered contagious and is an airway-obstructing, bacterial infection of the trachea. Recent upper respiratory viral infections are usually followed by tracheitis, the most common cause of which is Staphylococcus. Owing to the small size of their tracheas which swell with blockage, tracheitis is considered potentially hazardous to young children. Rapid development of stridor, sometimes confused with croup, is the most frequent and common symptom of trachetis.