If a kid has to be intubated due to a respiratory infection, what do they do? Do they keep you asleep until you can breathe on your own while you're intubated or can you be awake while the tube is in? How long do they usually leave it in? How do they put it in if you're in respiratory distress?
When someone needs to be intubated, they place narrow plastic tube down into their throat, just above the patients lungs. This can be done in respiratory distress. How long the tube stays in place all depends on how sick the patient is. That can be days to weeks. The patient is usually sleeping to help them breath more easily with the ventilator, but if someone is able to remain comftorble, they may allow them to be more awake.
