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Croup is a viral infection that inflames the windpipe and voice box, causing a distinctive cough and difficulty breathing. It is most common in children aged six months to three years and can be treated with pain relievers, cool mist humidifiers, and steroids. Severe cases require hospital treatment.
Croup typically develops due to a viral infection that causes inflammation in the windpipe and voice box. Some of the first symptoms of croup are usually reminiscent of a cold or mild flu. From this point, the patient’s voice becomes scratchy and a distinguishable cough begins to develop. As the inflammation increases, the cough typically worsens and becomes uncontrollable. In some cases, croup symptoms may include difficulty breathing, while, in rare cases, a lack of oxygen may occur. Most cases of croup are relatively mild and can be treated at home.
This relatively common childhood illness, which typically occurs in children between six months and three years old, often starts out like a cold or other mild illness. The patient may have a stuffy or runny nose, mild to moderate fever, and a general feeling of being unwell. These croup symptoms are usually the result of a viral infection, most commonly flu strains, adenoviruses, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
As the virus spreads to the trachea and larynx, the main symptoms of croup become apparent. The patient’s voice typically becomes scratchy or hoarse, and they may have difficulty speaking. Then a cough begins to develop that doesn’t look like a normal cough. Most cough, cold or flu symptoms occur due to inflammation of the throat. When croup inflames the larynx, the cough comes out with a very sharp, loud, harsh sound, and it is so distinguishable that it is the main reason doctors diagnose croup.
This unique cough usually occurs in uncontrollable fits as croup symptoms progress and is usually worse when the patient is attempting to speak. In some cases, the patient may cough continuously for more than ten minutes with short breaks in between. As the virus spreads, breathing between coughs may feel sharp due to inflammation in the trachea and larynx, and the patient may have difficulty breathing in and out. To compensate for the lack of oxygen between coughing fits, a patient may breathe very quickly.
In severe cases of this disease, croup symptoms can include severe lack of oxygen. The patient may become noticeably paler and a blue tinge may develop around the outside of the mouth. If this occurs, immediate medical attention is required.
The most common treatment for croup is a pain reliever that reduces fever. To relieve coughing fits, breathing moist, cool air tends to work best; using a cool mist humidifier can provide this type of air, which can be especially helpful at night. In some cases, and for young children, steroids can be used to reduce inflammation if breathing is particularly difficult. Severe croup symptoms are usually treated with respiratory treatments using a nebulizer in the hospital.
