Croup is characterized by a loud barking cough due to inflammation around the vocal cords of the larynx and trachea. Croup is found commonly in children between the ages of 6 months to 3 years. The most serious cases can need prescription medicine but most cases can be treated with home remedies. Only lasting for 2-5 days normally it can be said that croup in generally a minor condition.
Causes
- Different viruses cause Croup, such as parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial or various other respiratory viruses.
- It’s also been found that bacterial infections can cause croup.
- Croup can be contracted through the air or on surfaces by infected respiratory droplets.
Symptoms
- Makes noisy, high-pitched breathing sounds when inhaling. In most cases children will breathe faster and need to sit up vertically to breathe better.
- Begins drooling or has difficulty swallowing.
- Seems agitated or extremely irritable from everyday activities
- Struggles to breathe
- Develops blue or grayish skin around the nose, mouth or fingernails
- Has a fever of 103.5 F (39.7 C) or higher
- In most cases, home remedies are sufficient
a. Breathing in moist air seems to help during a croup attack. Use a humidifier or stem shower
b. Drinking plenty of fluids
c. Sleeping near children; monitor symptoms to soothe child - Getting a flu shot each year may help your child fight off some of the viruses that can lead to croup.
- Doctor may prescribe corticosteroids, epinephrine or another medication to open the airways.
- In server cases children may need to spend time in a hospital receiving humidified oxygen.
Extra Stuff
Why is croup reserved for children? As we grow older and are lungs and windpipes mature are bodies can deal with the inflammation around are vocal cords without the effects that young children suffer.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/croup/DS00312
https://www.google.com/health/ref/Croup
http://children.webmd.com/tc/croup-topic-overview http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000959.htm
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