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Croup is a common infection in young children that affects the upper airway. It causes swelling in the voice box (larynx) and the windpipe (trachea). This swelling makes the airway narrow, which can make it hard to breathe and causes a very specific type of cough.
read more about croup ...Croup is caused by a virus. It is most often the same type of virus that causes the common cold, called the parainfluenza virus. The virus is contagious and spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
The most recognized symptom of croup is a harsh, barking cough that sounds like a seal. Another notable sign is stridor, a high-pitched, squeaking sound heard when your child breathes in. Their voice may also be hoarse. Symptoms tend to be much worse at night.
Since croup is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not help. The main goal is to keep the child calm, as crying can make the airway swelling worse. For most mild cases, home treatment is all that is needed. For more serious cases, a doctor may prescribe a single dose of a steroid medicine to help reduce the swelling.
The best home treatment is moist air. You can take your child into the bathroom, shut the door, and run a very hot shower to create a lot of steam. Sitting in the steamy room for 15 minutes can help relax the airway. Taking your child out into the cool night air for a few minutes can also help reduce the swelling.
When a doctor orders an X-ray for a child with severe croup, they are looking for a specific shape in the airway. The swelling in the trachea often narrows the airway to a point that looks like the steeple of a church. This narrowing, known medically as the steeple sign, confirms the diagnosis of croup and helps the doctor rule out other causes of breathing difficulty, such as a foreign object stuck in the throat.
Most cases of croup are mild and go away in a few days. However, it can become serious if the swelling gets so bad that the child cannot breathe. You must watch your child's breathing closely.
Yes. The virus that causes croup is very contagious. You should keep your child home from daycare or school until they are better.
Croup usually lasts for about three to five days. The barking cough is often the worst for the first couple of nights.
You should call your doctor right away if your child is struggling to breathe. Go to the emergency room if your child is making the high-pitched stridor sound even when they are calm, if they have blue lips or fingertips, or if they are drooling and cannot swallow.
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