Croup

What is croup?

Croup is a common respiratory illness where the vocal cords (larynx) and the area below them in the windpipe (trachea) are inflamed.

This illness typically presents with a harsh, barking cough and noisy breathing.

Also called laryngotracheitis, croup usually is caused by a virus, such as parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

The disease occurs most often in late winter, particularly in children between the ages of 3 months and 5 years.

A croup-like cough can also be seen without any signs of infection being present.

This is called spasmodic croup and usually is due to an allergic reaction in the windpipe or trachea.

Treatment / What you should do

You may want to contact a doctor if your child has croup for the first time.

Contact a doctor immediately if your child is having difficulty breathing, shows signs of dehydration, or just doesn't look right.

You should also contact a doctor if your child has a high fever or if your child is drooling or not able to swallow his own saliva. This may be a sign of acute epiglottitis, a rare but potentially life-threatening infection of the epiglottis.

If your child has had croup before, and you recognize the symptoms, you can try various measures to relieve your child's symptoms. Try to stay calm. It is important to comfort your child. If you are anxious, your child will quickly sense this and become anxious and afraid herself. This may make your child's breathing worse.

Give your child plenty of liquids to drink.

Prop your child up in bed, with his upper body raised, to help him breathe more easily. You may want to put something under the end of the bed where his head is.

Some children feel better when they breathe in cool and damp air. You can do this either by taking the child over to an open window or opening the door to the freezer and letting the child breathe in the cold air.

Other children improve after breathing warm steamy air. Take the child into the bathroom after you have filled the room with hot shower steam. Sit with the child in the room for about 10 minutes.

• Inhaling humid air in the bathroom 
• Let your child inhale air through a damp towel 
• Use damp towels to increase the humidity in your child's room 

You should contact a doctor if your child does not start breathing more easily with these treatments.

Some children with croup need treatment in a hospital with oxygen, medication to open the airway, and intravenous fluids. Antibiotics are not helpful as a virus usually causes croup.

Sleep near enough to your child so you can follow the course of the illness. The symptoms may improve during the day, but worsen again for 2 or 3 nights.

Prevention

It is difficult to prevent your child from developing croup as a number of common cold viruses can cause the condition. Frequent hand washing and avoiding close contact with people who are sick with colds may reduce the risk of infection.