Croup
Alternative Names
CroupWhat is Croup
Croup is a condition marked by a harsh, repetitive cough similar to barking. Croup is a childhood illness that affects the windpipe (trachea) and two airways (the bronchi). When the cough forces air go through the narrowed passage, the vocal cords vibrate with a noise. Blocked airways can cause both a hoarse voice and breathing difficulties.
Signs and symptoms
Croup has the following distinctive symptoms:
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- High temperature
- Barking cough
- Hoarse or croaky voice
- Difficulty breathing
- Rasping sound when inhaling (stridor)
Possible complications
Croup may lead to some serious problems such as:
- Severe breathing difficulty (respiratory distress)
- Respiratory arrest
- Secondary infection including pneumonia, bacterial tracheitis
- Otitis media
- Pulmonary
- Pneumothorax
- Lymphadenitis
What causes
Croup usually appears in the result of an viral infection. The infection makes the larynx (voice box) swollen and blocks the trachea (windpipe).
The viruses that cause croup are:
- Influenza A and B (flu viruses)
- The measles virus, in children who have not been immunized against measles
- The herpes simplex virus (cold sore virus)
- The varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox virus)
- The adenovirus
- The rhinovirus
- The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- Mycoplasma
Less common causes of croup may be:
- Allergic reactions to pollen or dust mites
- Inhalation of irritants such as chemicals
- Acid leaking back out of the stomach and into the throat (acid reflux)
Prevention
To reduce the risk of croup you and your child should:
- Wash hands regularly
- Cough and sneeze into a tissue
- Clean surfaces regularly to keep them free of germs
- Avoid sharing unwashed cups, plates, cutlery and other kitchen utensils
Treatment
In most cases croup does not need treatment. It improves on its own for a short period of time. Such self-care measures at home as breathing moist air and drinking fluids help to recover. For severe croup the medications (corticosteroids, epinephrine) can be taken to open the blocked airways. In hospital a child with severe croup may receive humidified oxygen.
