![]() In the winter, when it is colder, croup is found more often, but it can occur at any time of the year. Viral croup occurs mainly in children between 3 months and 5 years of age, affecting boys more often than girls. As it becomes more severe and the child tires, he or she may become blue (cyanosed) due to the lack of oxygen. The child wakes up with breathing difficulties and rapid breathing, using all chest muscles. This often occurs in the middle of the night. Low-grade fever is common, but often fever of 38☌ to 40☌ is associated with the onset of croup. Gagging and vomiting may occur with the coughing. Characteristically, a barking, often spasmodic, cough and hoarseness develop as the inspiratory stridor starts. SymptomsĬroup is usually preceded by two or three days of an upper respiratory tract infection (like a cold or influenza). The disease can be spread by droplet infection. ![]() In winter and spring, RSV and influenza viruses tend to dominate, but in autumn the parainfluenza virus is found more often. Mycoplasma pneumoniae has been identified as a bacterium that causes croup.Ĭroup caused by influenza can be particularly severe and can also occur outside the age bracket of six months to three years. Most commonly the parainfluenza viruses (especially type 1) are involved, but the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza A and B, adeno-, rhino- and measles viruses can also cause croup. If the diagnosis is not made promptly, the child is likely to die. Here a bacterial infection (Haemophilus influenza type B) causes acute swelling of the epiglottis which can rapidly lead to airway obstruction. In very severe cases the lungs are unable to work efficiently and move oxygen into the blood with the result that the child becomes hypoxic.Ĭroup is characterised by inspiratory stridor (a harsh, crowing sound when inhaling), subglottic swelling (swelling below the vocal chords) and respiratory distress that is most pronounced on inspiration.Īcute epiglottitis is a condition that should always be thought of in cases of croup. ![]() This obstruction results in difficult breathing, and the increased effort required for breathing tires the ill child. ![]() However, the obstruction that results in the main symptoms is caused by swelling and inflammatory secretions in the area immediately around the vocal chords. Acute onset of stridor may be caused by the inhalation of a foreign bodyĬroup is an acute viral inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tracts, which involves the larynx (the “voice box” containing the vocal chords), trachea (windpipe), the bronchi (airways leading to the lungs), the bronchioles (airways in the lungs) and the lung tissue itself.Croup often develops in the evening or night and, if it is not severe initially, might worsen during the night.Epiglottitis is a serious illness that can present similarly to croup but can cause total airways obstruction that is rapidly fatal.Croup is treated with humidified air, fluids, corticosteroids (injected or administered orally) and adrenaline nebulisers.A harsh, crowing sound during inspiration is associated with croup.Typical croupy cough sounds coarse and barking.Croup is infectious and can be spread especially in the first few days.It is usually caused by viruses in rare cases bacteria cause a potentially fatal illness, acute epiglottitis.Croup is an infection of the upper airways, especially the larynx.Croup is an acute viral inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tracts.
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