Croup Overview

Croup is a medical condition that affects the trachea and the bronchi during childhood. A child who is afflicted with croup will exhibit a barking cough and a harsh sound can be heard when they breathe in. The airway gets blocked, thereby causing a hoarse voice and acute breathing difficulties. There are teo types of croup: viral and spasmodic. The former is caused by an infection and the latter involves repeated episodes of croup but no sign of infection. Croup is not a very common condition and affects boys more. The disease affects children who are between 6 months and 3 years of age. A child can experience croup more than once in childhood but it recurs in only about 5% cases. A majority of the cases of coup are mild and they improve on their own without the need for treatment. The condition usually improves within 48 hours of onset but, in some cases, the symptoms can be seen for at least a week. If the condition of the child becomes very serious, then the doctor may advise immediate hospitalization. A child dying from croup is very rare in any part of the world.

A child can get affected with croup at any time of the year but the condition is likely to set in the early winter months. The initial symptoms are very similar to that of common cold: sore throat, runny nose and cough. But in around two days, the specific symptoms of croup will develop which are usually a bark-like cough, breathing difficulty and a harsh voice. The symptoms of spasmodic croup are very similar to that of viral croup but a grating sound can be heard at night when the child is trying to sleep. The symptoms will usually last only for a few days.

Croup develops as a result of a viral or a bacterial infection. As a result of this infection, the voice box will become swollen and windpipe may get blocked. A condition of croup is diagnosed based on the symptoms of the child and the sound of the cough. The GP may also check whether the child has fever or has suffered from cold/viral infection. Based on the symptoms and the answers to his questions, the doctor will take a call on hospital admission or home treatment. Croup is very difficult to prevent. The infection spreads through the infected droplets of moisture that passes through the air when someone sneezes or coughs. However, good personal hygiene should be maintained to arrest the spread of infection.

The treatment of croup will depend upon the severity of the condition. In majority of the cases, the condition does not need any treatment as it becomes better on its own. But if croup is very severe, then a hospital admission will be required. During this time of suffering the child needs comforting from you. You must ensure that the child is not crying or feeling depressed. If the doctor has advised treatment at home, then most probably a paracetamol will be prescribed to lower the temperature. The child should drink plenty of fluids to remain hydrated. But you must consult the doctor immediately if you find that the condition is worsening.