What is croup?
Croup refers to an infection of the upper airway, which obstructs breathing and causes a characteristic barking cough.
The cough and other signs and symptoms of croup are the result of swelling around the voice box (larynx), windpipe (trachea) and bronchial tubes (bronchi).
As a rule, the diagnosis is common in children.
In a large percentage of clinical cases, croup does not cause serious complications and is effectively treated at home.
Symptoms
Croup often begins as a typical cold.
Symptoms of croup are typically worse at night and usually last for three to five days.
If there's enough inflammation and coughing, a child will develop:
- Loud barking cough that's further aggravated by crying and coughing, as well as anxiety and agitation, setting up a cycle of worsening signs and symptoms
- Fever
- Hoarse voice
- Breathing that may be noisy or labored
When to see a doctor
If your child's symptoms are severe, worsen or last longer than three to five days or aren't responding to home treatment, contact your child's doctor.
Symptoms
Croup often begins as a typical cold.
Symptoms of croup are typically worse at night and usually last for three to five days.
If there's enough inflammation and coughing, a child will develop:
- Loud barking cough that's further aggravated by crying and coughing, as well as anxiety and agitation, setting up a cycle of worsening signs and symptoms
- Fever
- Hoarse voice
- Breathing that may be noisy or labored
Seek immediate medical attention if your child:
- Makes noisy, high-pitched breathing sounds both when inhaling and exhaling
- Makes high-pitched breathing sounds when not crying or agitated
- Difficulty swallowing
- Seems anxious and agitated or fatigued and listless
- Breathes at a faster rate than usual
- Struggles to breathe
- Develops blue or grayish skin around the nose, mouth or fingernails (cyanosis)
Causes
Croup is usually caused by a viral infection.
Most at risk of getting croup are children between 6 months and 3 years of age.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/croup/symptoms-causes/syc-
20350348
