What Is Croup?

Croup is a collection of conditions involving inflammation of the upper airway. This leads to a cough that sounds like a bark and worsens when a child is crying. A virus will cause most croup and the most vulnerable age is between three months and five years old. The infection is more likely to shop up in the winter months and early spring. Children under three are the most prone to complications with severe croup. Premature babies or those born with narrowed upper airways are especially at risk for croup. In addition, children with a history of lung and breathing problems such as asthma are more likely to develop severe cases of the croup and need oxygen and hospitalization.

Most croup viruses can be treated at home. It mainly starts out when a child has signs of a cold for a few days and a fever. As the infection progresses, the lining of the windpipe and the voice box becomes swollen and inflamed. These results in the harsh, barking cough that is a sure sign of croup. In addition, because the upper airways become swollen, it makes it more difficult for the child to breathe and a wheezing or squeaking nose. Your child might start breathing fast and you can notice them taking a breath because the skin between the ribs and stomach suck in when taking a breath. In addition, you may notice the mouth area may appear pale or bluish because the child's difficulty in getting enough oxygen.

Croup is not necessarily contagious; children that are exposed to another child usually will just show signs of a head cold. A doctor can diagnose croup by listening to the barking cough and the squeaking noise when the child takes a breath. Cold symptoms also appear with croup and if your child has had it once, there are more likely to have it again.

If croup doesn't respond to treatment, your doctor might consider an x-ray to see if there is another reason for the difficult breathing.

Moist air seems to be the best way to relieve symptoms of croup. Humidifying the air in the room where your child sleeps will help ease the cough and open the airways. You might want to set with your child in a steam filled bathroom for 10 minutes. You may want to have your child sleep in the same room if your child is breathing fast and is experiencing the croupy cough. Rest and plenty of liquids are recommended and if the symptoms will normally last about a week.

A doctor can give medications if your child's croup is especially serious or if they find the croup is a bacterial infection. Epinephrine or corticosteroids will help reduce the inflammation in the upper airways. Oxygen is often given to a child with a serious case of the croup and sometimes they will need overnight observation in a hospital.

Children recover from the croup in less than a week, but rarely, complications can result. Ear infections and pneumonia are complications often found in children with severe cases of the croup.

Like any other disease, the easiest way to avoid it is not being in contact with someone who has an infection of the respiratory tract.

You should call your doctor if your child experiences the following symptoms as they may suggest the croup is serious. If your child has a pale or bluish color around the mouth, that could be a sign of oxygen deprivation. If they are drooling or having trouble swallowing, you should call your doctor. A high fever is another sign that your child's condition may be serious. Watch for rapid breathing, difficult breathing, and belly sinking while breathing and sometimes you can see the base of the child's throat sucking in. Also, listen for the squeaking or wheezing noise when the child takes a breath. Any of these symptoms should prompt you to call your doctor to have your child examined.

The croup is scary sounding because of the wheezing and the barking cough, but it normally doesn't last long and can be treated. Rarely does the croup cause any long-term problems. It is a trying experience for the parents as well as the sick child.