Children’s Health issues - Croup

Generally, Croup is an infection of the upper airway that means it becomes narrow which makes it harder to breathe. Croup infection also causes a cough which sounds like barking.

Croup symptoms like cough and other signs and symptoms which are the result of swelling and irritation around the area of voice box called larynx, windpipe called trachea and bronchial tubes called bronchi. When you cough, which forces the air that can pass through the narrow passageway, then the swollen vocal cords must produce a lot of noise which naturally sounds like a seal barking. If you take a breath which often produces a high pitched whistling sound called stridor.

Croup infection mostly occurs in younger children. Usually, this infection is not that serious. Children mostly treat their croup infection at home.

Symptoms of croup

Generally, Croup is mild and lasts less than one week but the symptoms of croup can get more severe. Symptoms generally start slowly and it can also start with a runny or stuffy nose. And followed by next 12 to 48 hours, symptoms may worsen and then slowly start the barking cough. Usually, symptoms of croup get worse at night.

Some other mild croup symptoms include:

• Hoarseness.

• Fever.

• Rash.

• Eye redness (conjunctivitis).

• Swollen lymph nodes.

Moderate to severe croup symptoms may include:

• Difficulty breathing.

• Restlessness or nervousness.

• Retractions which means bacteria suck the skin around your child’s ribs and also the top of your child’s breastbone.

• Cyanosis which looks like blue-tinged skin.

Causes

Usually, Croup is caused by a viral infection, especially most often caused by parainfluenza virus.

Your children might get a virus through breathing infected respiratory droplets through cough or sneeze into the air. These tiny virus particles in the air droplets can also stay on toys and other surfaces. If your children touch a contaminated surface with a virus on it and your children may touch the eyes,nose or mouth, an infection may follow.

Risk factors

Particularly, children between the ages of 6 months to 3 years have the greatest risk of getting a croup. Because children under these ages have small airways, they are more likely to have more severe symptoms with croup. Rarely, croup may occur in children older than the age of 6 years.

Complications

Most of the people with croup infection are mild. Some of the children, the airway swells enough so that causes problems with breathing. In some of the rare cases, bacterial infection of the windpipe can occur which add on to the viral infection. This action results in trouble breathing which requires emergency medical care.

Only a few of the children will be admitted in the emergency room for croup infection which requires them to stay in a hospital.

Diagnosis

Usually, croup is diagnosed by healthcare professionals. Your healthcare provider:

• Observe your children's breathing problems.

• Must Listen to your child's chest with the help of a stethoscope.

• Should examine your children's throat.

• Sometimes imaging test like X-rays or other tests which are used to flush out other possible health issues

Treatment

Most of the croup cases are mild which can be treated at home. You should try to keep your child calm, and crying can make your croup worse.

For a fever, medications(acetaminophen which is only for kids older than 6 months) may help your child feel more comfortable. You should ask your healthcare provider how much dosage to give and you must follow the directions carefully.

Breathing in moist air will help kids to feel better. To help your kids to breath in moist air:

• You can use a cool mist humidifier or else run a hot shower for a steam- filled bathroom where you and your children can sit for 10 minutes to ease the croup barking. Breathing in the mist air will help you to stop the severe coughing.

• In cool weather conditions, you can take your children outside the home for some time to breathe the cool air which will ease the symptoms of croup. You can also take your child for a long car drive with windows slightly lowered.

Your children must drink plenty of fluids which prevents dehydration. If it is needed, you can give small amounts of liquid using a spoon or medicine dropper. Kids should take lots of rest for croup infection.

Few children with croup infection must need breathing treatment which can be given in the hospitalization or they can be given a steroid medicine which helps to reduce the swelling in the passage of airway. In some rare cases, kids with croup may need to stay in a hospital until they breathe better.

Prevention

To prevent croup, you can take the same steps you use to prevent cold and flu.

• You should follow frequent hand-washing with soap and water for about 20 seconds is the most important step to prevent it.

• You should keep your children away from anyone who is  sick.

• You should tell your children to cough or sneeze into the elbow.

• You should clean frequently touched contaminated surfaces.

To prevent the serious viral infections which will cause the croup infection, you should keep your child’s vaccinations up to date. Both diphtheria and Haemophilus influenzae type b virus vaccines give the best protection for rarest and dangerous upper airway infections. There is no vaccine that protects against parainfluenza viruses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the main cause of croup?

Ans: Commonly, croup is caused by a virus. Several viruses can cause croup but in most cases it is the parainfluenza virus.

Q2. What is the best treatment for croup?

Ans: Dexamethasone — Dexamethasone is the most frequently used medication for the treatment of all types of croup.

Q3. What bacteria causes croup?

Ans: Most instances of bacterial croup, more commonly called bacterial tracheitis, are due to secondary bacterial infection from Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).

Q4. At what age does croup stop?

Ans: It usually affects children 3 months to 5 years of age. 

Q5. Is croup serious?

Ans: Croup is usually mild and lasts less than one week, although it is possible for symptoms to become severe and life-threatening.