Top Things You Should Know About Croup

Croup by definition is: a respiratory infection often triggered by an acute viral infection of the upper airway, though its cause can also be of a bacterial origin. Generally, croup is found among young children under the age of six. Its tell-tale symptoms are the barking cough, high-pitched wheezing sounds, and hoarseness.

Croup is no fun for anyone. For the child suffering from croup, the persistent cough can be painful. The wheezing sounds are a product of not being able to breathe easily and the hoarseness is caused by painfully raw vocal cords. The symptoms are not always severe, but even at their mild stage, they are recognizable and disconcerting. Overall, a child with croup is likely to be miserable. For the parents of a child with croup, there is a genuine concern, a genuine feeling of despair, and a genuine inability to get a good nights rest. Croup rarely results in a hospital admission, however, some physicians may decide to admit a child with croup.

Here are the top things you should know about croup:

• The symptoms of croup generally occur more at night.




• Croup is clinically diagnosed after excluding other upper-airway obstruction possibilities.




• Croup is measured by the Westley Score. This score is used to determine if the Croup is mild, severe, or moderate in nature.




• Croup can be prevented by being inoculated for influenza and diphtheria.




• Oral steroids are the common treatment course.




• In very severe cases of croup, a physician may prescribe Epinephrine.




• Keeping the child calm has shown to provide medications ample time to do their job.




• Home remedies, while not having shown any true clinical benefit, are used and some parents report relief of symptoms. These home remedies include: The inhalation of hot steam. This is generally accomplished by turning on a hot shower, closing the bathroom door, and allowing the child to sit in the room with a parent and breathe the steam from the shower. Additionally, using a humidifier and allowing the child to breathe humidified air.




• Croup, if left untreated, can result in further respiratory problems, including the inability to breathe at all. It is best to consult a physician if you believe your child is developing, or has developed croup.