It was a few years back when my little sister had croup. As i never had croup so my parents had absolutely no idea. It was in the evening and we had recently moved to our present house and hence we didn’t know any clinic or doctor close in the locality. However, God listened to our prayers and my father brought a doctor who though stayed far away, was yet kind to come and visit. He examined my sister and said that the symptoms clearly stated that she had croup. He explained to us what is croup. He said it was a blockage in the airway and the trachea and bronchi gets affected. Croup is not common and can affect children between the age of 1-5 years. Her symptoms were the ideal symptoms which were the way she coughed (which was more like a bark), the hoarse sound she made while inhaling and exhaling and the acute breathing problem.

He said that it was good that her condition was viral since it could be treated at home and was still in the first stage. He told us to to keep her away from anything that would cause burn and told to keep a humidifier near to her bed which would reduce the condition of her throat. The next step was to give saline nose drop thrice a day and to let in fresh air. We did as per his instructions and within a week’s time my sister recovered. It also taught us to be more careful. We will always be thankful to the doctor for not only treating my sister but also for the way he comforted us and strengthened us to face the situation. 

It was in the fall of winter in the last year when my niece had croup. My sister was completely shaken and worried as she had no idea about the disease. I, however, was aware of this disease and it was I who first figured out that my niece was having croup as her cough was that of barking and her body was burning.

I told my sister not to worry for, if taken proper steps, the croup is sure to be cured within a short period of time. I told my sister to have faith and to do as per my instructions. A friend of mine had once told me that croup is not a disease to be worried about telling me what should be done if once it is diagnosed. And now it was my turn to repeat the instructions to my sister. I told her to take her daughter to the bathroom and run the shower on her for at least twenty five minutes. It was hard to coax the kid to sit for twenty five minutes under the cold shower. My sister and I were both telling her funny stories and for further entertainment I gave her to play with a plastic duck which worked. After the shower I took my niece on the terrace and played with her there for sometime. This was my idea to get her the fresh cool air immediately after the bath. I gently pat dried her after that. Within the next two days her croup was gone and within the next week she recovered from the fever which follows after croup.

The first time my little daughter had croup i was really scared as i had no idea about the disease and was hence completely lacked prior experience or knowledge. 

It was 12 am and I didn’t know what to do. I suddenly recalled that the sister-in-law of a friend of mine was a nurse. I decided to call her instantly. The lady was very kind and sympathetic. She listened to my descriptions and worries with patience. After I had finished she told me to give the phone to my daughter to hear her cough and told me that it was croup for sure. “Yes, that’s croup.” “What is croup?” I asked. She explained what croup was and that the barking cough was the main indicator. She gave me instructions and told me not to worry as it is not harmful if taken proper care.

Following her instructions, I ran for shower and placed my girl under the shower for 20 minutes. I told her stories and sang all her favorite songs which I could think of at that time so that my girl remains calm. After the shower I took her out in the cool air in the garden. On the following day she was better and by evening her croup went away and her fever broke. I was relieved and I will be always grateful to the kind lady who advised me when I was in complete dark.