15 Yr old with croup after intubation

[lboulais]

My 15 year old son was put on life support on Jan. 2, 2008 for several days.  Since then he has had two severe bouts of croup.  Yesterday his doctor gave him a dose of Dexamethasone and an inhaler (Pulmicort Flexhaler).  He is absolutely exhasted from the cough at this point and, of course, no one has slept in this house for days.  My question is whether the croup, which is an infection, could have been caused because of the intubation.  I am not saying anyone was negligent because his care was first-class, but I'm wondering if by chance he was cut while taking the tube out could have caused the infection he has experienced twice in the last 5 weeks.  Thank you. Liz

[pumpkin924]

My son has been intubated more times than i can count on both my hands.. after they took the tube out he always had something called plastic bronchitus (bronchitis).. which can happen from the tube being in.. alot of times the tube itself irritates the airway... anytime they put anything in your mouth theres a chance of infection.. but i was always told its rare to get an infection from having a tube put in or scope... sorry i couldnt tell you more i hope i helped you a bit
kristy