What is croup?
Croup is a childhood condition that is usually caused by a virus. It could seriously affect the trachea, the bronchi, and the larynx. Children with croup have a distinctive barking cough and will make a harsh sound, known as stridor when they breathe in. Fever and runny nose may also be present. These symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe but worse at night, which could last up to one to two days.
Usually, croup is triggered by several viruses, but the most common case is influenza virus.
Who is affected by croup?
Young children aged between six months and three years are the most common target of croup, with most cases occurring in one-year-old boy.
Nevertheless, infant as young as three months and older children up to 15 years of age could sometimes contract this disease. Adult is not an exception, though it is rare. Children may experience croup more than once during their childhood.
The condition is more common during late autumn and early winter months.
Treating croup
Most cases of croup are mild and could be treated at home. It is important that parents keep their children as calm as possible. Sitting your child upright and comforting them if they are distressed is important, because crying may make symptoms worse. Your child should also drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
A single dose of an oral corticosteroid medication called dexamethasone or prednisolone will usually also be prescribed to help reduce the swelling in the throat.
If your child has breathing problems they may need hospital treatment, such as adrenaline and oxygen through a mask.
Inhalation of hot steam or humidified air is a traditional self-care treatment, but clinical studies have failed to show the effectiveness and currently, it is rarely used.[14] The use of cough medicines, which usually contain dextromethorphan and/or guaifenesin, are also discouraged.
Complications
Most cases of croup clear up within 48 hours. However, in some cases, symptoms can last for up to two weeks. It is extremely rare for a child to die from croup.
There are a number of conditions that can follow croup, such as pneumonia and middle ear infection.
Preventing croup
Good hygiene is the main defense against croup, such as regularly washing hands and cleaning surfaces.
Many cases of croup have been prevented by immunization for influenza and diphtheria. At one time, croup referred to a diphtherial disease, but with vaccination, diphtheria is now rare in the developed world.
