Croup

Description

Croup refers to an infection of the upper respiratory tract, which is narrower, which makes it more difficult to breathe. Croup can also cause a cough that sounds like barking.

The cough and other signs and symptoms of croup are the result of the swelling and irritation around the voice box (larynx), windpipe (trachea) and bronchial tubes (bronchi). When a cough forces air through this narrowed passageway, the swollen vocal cords produce a noise like a seal barking. Taking a breath often produces a high-pitched whistling sound called stridor.

Croup occurs more often in young children. Is usually not serious. Most children can be treated for croup at home.

Symptoms

Croup often starts as a simple cold. If there is enough swelling, irritation, and cough, a child may develop:

  • Loud barking cough that is aggravated by crying and coughing, as well as the anxiety and distress, creating a cycle of worsening of the symptoms.
  • Fever.
  • The hoarse voice.
  • Noisy or difficulty breathing.

The symptoms of croup are often worse at night, and usually last 3 to 5 days.

When to see a doctor

Contact your doctor if the symptoms are severe, worsen, last for more than 3 to 5 days, or does not respond to home treatment.

Seek medical attention right away if your child:

  • It makes loud, high-pitched breathing sounds when breathing in and out.
  • Does high-pitched breathing sounds when not crying or upset.
  • Begins to drool or have trouble swallowing.
  • Seems anxious, upset, restless or very tired and have no energy.
  • You breathe at a faster pace than usual.
  • Breathing difficulties.
  • We develop a blue or gray tint around the nose, on or around the mouth or fingernails.

Causes

The croup is usually caused by a viral infection, most of the times a parainfluenza virus.

Your child can get a virus by inhalation of infected respiratory droplets coughed or sneezed into the air. The Virus particles in these droplets can also survive in toys and other surfaces. If your child touches a surface with a virus, and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth, an infection may follow.

Risk factors

Children between 6 months and 3 years of age have the highest risk of contracting the croup. Because children have small airways, are more likely to have symptoms of croup. The croup is rare in children older than 6 years of age.

Complications

Most cases of croup are mild. In a small number of children, the airway becomes inflamed enough to cause problems with breathing. In rare cases, a bacterial infection of the trachea can occur in addition to the viral infection. This can result in difficulty breathing and requires emergency medical attention.

Only a small number of children treated in the emergency room for the croup require a stay in the hospital.

Prevention

To prevent the rump, take the same steps that you use to prevent colds and the flu.

  • Frequent hand-washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the most important step.
  • Keep your child away from any sick.
  • Encourage your child to cough or sneeze into your elbow.
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces.

To prevent more serious infections that can cause croup, to keep your child's vaccinations up to date. Diphtheria and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines offer protection against some of the more rare, but the most dangerous of the upper part of respiratory tract infections. There is No vaccine, however, that protects against parainfluenza virus.

Croup

Diagnosis

Croup is usually diagnosed by a health professional. Provider:

  • Observe the breath of your child.
  • Listen to your child in the chest with a stethoscope.
  • Examine your child's throat.

Sometimes X-rays or other tests are used to rule out other possible diseases.

Treatment

Most children with croup can be treated at home. Even so, the croup can be scary, especially if your child needs a visit to the doctor's office, emergency room or hospital. The treatment is usually based on the severity of the symptoms.

Comfort measures

It is important for the comfort and the peace of his son, for the tears and the anguish can worsen the inflammation of the airways, making breathing difficult. Keep your child, sing lullabies or read quiet stories. We offer a favorite blanket or toy. Speak in a soft voice.

Also, make sure that your child drinks plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

Medications

Your child's health care provider may prescribe these medicines:

  • Corticosteroids. A corticosteroid such as dexamethasone may be given to reduce the inflammation in the airways. Usually the symptoms begin to improve within a couple of hours. Your child can take the pills for several days. Or your child can get from a single dose of dexamethasone as a shot, because of their long-lasting effects.
  • The epinephrine. Epinephrine is effective in the reduction of the inflammation of the airways with more severe symptoms. The drug can be administered on an inhalation through a nebulizer. It is fast-acting, but their effects wear off quickly. Your child will probably need to be observed in the emergency room for several hours to see if a second dose is needed, before you go home.

A stay in the hospital

For the croup is severe, your child may need to spend time in a hospital to be monitored and to receive more treatments.

Self-care

Croup often runs its course within 3 to 5 days. In the meantime, keep your child comfortable with a couple of simple steps:

  • Keep calm. The comfort or distract your child — cuddle, read a book or playing a quiet game. The crying makes breathing more difficult.
  • Provide humidified or fresh air. Although there is no evidence of benefit of these practices, many parents believe that the humid air or cold air helps the breathing of the child. The humid air, you can use a humidifier. You can also sit with the child in a bathroom filled with steam created by the hot water of the shower. If it's cold outside, you can open a window for your child to breathe in the fresh air.
  • Keep your child in a comfortable upright position. Keep your child on your lap, or place your child in a favorite chair or child seat. Sitting upright can make breathing easier.
  • Offer fluids. For infants, breast milk or the formula is good. For older children, soup or frozen fruit pops may be soothing.
  • Encourage others. Sleep can help your child fight the infection.
  • Try a medication to reduce the fever.For the treatment of fever or pain, consider giving your child infants or children over-the-counter fever and pain medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) as a safer alternative to aspirin. Carefully read the instructions for dosage. Ask your health care provider about the right dose if you are not sure. Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Even though aspirin is approved for use in children older than 3 years of age, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. This is because aspirin has been linked with Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal in these children.
  • Skip the cold medicine. Cold preparations are available without a prescription are not recommended for children of any age. And that can be harmful in children under 2 years of age. In addition, over-the-counter cough medicines do not help the croup.

Try a medication to reduce the fever. For the treatment of fever or pain, consider giving your child infants or children over-the-counter fever and pain medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) as a safer alternative to aspirin. Carefully read the instructions for dosage. Ask your health care provider about the right dose if you are not sure.

Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Even though aspirin is approved for use in children older than 3 years of age, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. This is because aspirin has been linked with Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal in these children.

Your child's cough may improve during the day, but don't be surprised if it is returned in the evening. You may want to sleep close to your child or even in the same room, so that you can take quick action if the symptoms get worse.

Preparing for your appointment

In most cases of croup, your child does not need to see a health care provider. However, if the symptoms are severe or do not respond to home treatment, you should call your provider.

What you can do

Before your appointment, make a list of:

  • Your child's symptoms, including how long they have been going on and what, if anything, makes it better or worse.
  • Any medication your child is taking, including nonprescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and other supplements, and dosage.
  • Questions to ask your doctor.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor will likely ask you a series of questions to help determine the best course of treatment:

  • What are the symptoms of your child?
  • Your child has had a fever or difficulty swallowing?
  • How long has your child been having symptoms?
  • Have your child's cough get worse with time? If so, how fast?
  • Have you noticed a pattern to your child's cough? For example, does it get worse at night?
  • Has your child had croup in the past?
  • Has your child recently been exposed to other sick children?
  • Does your child have any other medical condition?
  • Are your child's vaccines up to date?

Your health care provider will ask other questions based on their responses and symptoms of your child and their needs. Prepare and anticipate questions will help you make the most of your time with the provider.

Symptoms and treatment of Croup