Overview Of Croup
Croup is an infection of the upper airways that causes breathing difficulty and a “barking” cough. Croup is due to swelling around the vocal cords. It is common in infants and children.
Commonly Associated With
Viral croup; Laryngotracheobronchitis; Spasmodic croup; Barking cough; Laryngotracheitis
Causes Of Croup
Croup affects children ages 3 months to 5 years. It can occur at any age. Some children are more likely to get croup and may get it several times. It is most common between October and April but can occur at any time of the year.
Croup is most often caused by viruses such as parainfluenza RSV, measles, adenovirus, and influenza. More severe cases of croup may be caused by bacteria. This condition is called bacterial tracheitis.
Croup-like symptoms may also be caused by:
- Allergies
- Breathing in something that irritates your airway
- Acid reflux
Symptoms Of Croup
The main symptom of croup is a cough that sounds like a seal barking.
Most children will have a mild cold and low-grade fever for several days before having a barking cough and a hoarse voice. As the cough gets more frequent, the child may have trouble breathing or stridor (a harsh, crowing noise made when breathing in).
Croup is typically much worse at night. It often lasts 5 or 6 nights. The first night or two are most often the worst. Rarely, croup can last for weeks. Talk to your child’s health care provider if croup lasts longer than a week or comes back often.
Exams & Tests
Your provider will take a medical history and ask about your child’s symptoms.
The provider will examine your child’s chest to check for:
- Difficulty breathing in and out
- Whistling sound (wheezing)
- Decreased breath sounds
- Chest retractions with breathing
- An exam of the throat may reveal a red epiglottis. In a few cases, x-rays or other tests may be needed.
A neck x-ray may reveal a foreign object or narrowing of the trachea.
Treatment Of Croup
Most cases of croup can be safely managed at home. However, you should call your provider for advice, even in the middle of the night.
Steps you can take at home include:
- Expose your child to cool or moist air, such as in a steamy bathroom or outside in the cool night air. This may offer some breathing relief.
- Set up a cool air vaporizer in the child’s bedroom and use it for a few nights.
- Make your child more comfortable by giving acetaminophen. This medicine also lowers a fever so the child will not have to breathe as hard.
- Avoid cough medicines unless you discuss them with your provider first.
- Your provider may prescribe medicines, such as:
- Steroid medicines taken by mouth or through an inhaler
- Antibiotic medicine (for some, but not most cases)
Your child may need to be treated in the emergency room or to stay in the hospital if they:
- Have breathing problems that do not go away or get worse
- Become too tired because of breathing problems
- Have bluish skin color
- Are not drinking enough fluids
Medicines and treatments used at the hospital may include:
- Breathing medicines given with a nebulizer machine
- Steroid medicines given through a vein (IV)
- An oxygen tent placed over a crib
- Fluids given through a vein for dehydration
- Antibiotics given through a vein
- Rarely, a breathing tube through the nose or mouth will be needed to help your child breathe.
