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Most often seen in autumn, croup is typically caused by a viral infection that affects the upper airway, specifically vocal cords and throat. It’s common in kids, especially between the ages of 6 months and 3 years.
The telltale sign of croup is the barking cough accompanied by a high-pitched squeak when breathing. A kid can also lose their voice or get a hoarse voice. Children usually recover in a week or so and the illness rarely causes other complications.
The same viruses that cause the common cold cause croup. Symptoms usually start like a cold: runny nose, stuffy nose and a fever. Irritation and swelling of the voice box and windpipe lead to the barking cough and hoarseness.
As the infection progresses and swelling continues, kids often make a high-pitched or squeaking noise while breathing in.
Croup symptoms are typically worse at night and when crying. Since crying makes the symptoms worse, try to keep your child calm.
For a fever and sore throat in children over 6 months, you can manage symptoms with over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Never give aspirin to a child as it could cause Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition that affects the brain and liver.
Moist air can sometimes ease symptoms. A cool-mist humidifier or a steam-filled bathroom from a hot shower can ease the severe coughing.
Kids with croup need plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration and plenty of rest.
Sometimes, kids need breathing treatments and steroid medication to reduce swelling. Croup is typically caused by a virus, so antibiotics aren’t going to treat the cause of the infection. Some cases of croup are bacterial. A medical professional can diagnose the difference.
Croup viruses spread easily through sneezes or coughs, releasing virus-filled droplets into the air.
Recurrent croup is a sign of issues such as allergies, asthma or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Monitoring by a health care provider is crucial to determine the exact cause and appropriate treatment.
Croup can become severe and require hospitalization. Severe croup is characterized by significant respiratory distress, noisy breathing such as squeaking when inhaling, a persistent barky cough and labored breathing. Children with severe croup may become agitated or lethargic, and can potentially experience cyanosis, indicating a lack of oxygen.
Severe cases often require immediate medical attention and, typically, hospital care with humidified oxygen. Nebulized epinephrine can rapidly reduce airway swelling. Corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, reduce inflammation in the upper airway and provide longer-lasting relief.
Croup is a routine childhood illness for most kids, who recover with no lasting issues. But for kids who were born prematurely or have a lung disease like asthma, croup brings special risks.
Contact a medical professional right away if notice any of the following: