Croup is a condition marked by harsh, repetitive "barking" cough sounds, according to MayoClinic.com. The barking sound occurs when a child's cough travels through inflamed windpipe and vocal cords, and the vocal cords vibrate. Croup isn't normally serious and it can often be treated within the comfort of your own home, but more serious cases can require medical intervention.
Causes
The most common cause of croup is parainfluenza virus, but other culprits may also be adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, according to KidsHealth, part of the Nemours Foundation. Your child may contract one of these viruses by inhaling droplets that an infected person coughs or sneezes into the air or she may become infected if she touches a contaminated surface and touches her face. In rare cases, croup might be caused by a bacterial infection, says MayoClinic.com.
Signs And Symptoms
A child with croup may initially experience cold symptoms, such as congestion and fever, but as his airway becomes inflamed and swollen, he will become hoarse and develop a barking cough, says KidsHealth. Viral croup symptoms may be worse at night and when your child is upset, they peak about two to three days after the viral infection symptoms begin and they generally wane after three to seven days, according to KidsHealth. Children younger than age 5 are more likely than older children to have severe symptoms because their airways are already small, according to MayoClinic.com.
When to Call Doctor
Your child may be in danger if her symptoms progress beyond viral congestion, fever and barking cough. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends calling a doctor if your child makes a noisy sound when she inhales; your child starts to drool or have swallowing difficulties; your child's lips and skin around her nose, mouth and fingernails are dark or bluish in color; your child has trouble breathing; or if your child is cranky, getting worse and worrying you.
Diagnosis
Your pediatrician will normally be able to diagnose croup by listening to your child's breathing and coughing, and examining his throat, but he may also need to use an X-ray or other tests to make a complete diagnosis, according to MayoClinic.com. Your pediatrician may also ask you about your child's health, inquiring about any recent fevers, runny noses, congestion and history of upper airway issues or croup.
Treatment And Home Remedies
Most of the time, you can care for your child's croup at home by placing a cool mist vaporizer in your child's bedroom at night and offering her fluids. However, if her symptoms are aggressive, she may need corticosteroids, epinephrine or another type of medication to help open up her airways, according to MayoClinic.com. If her croup is caused by a bacterial infection, she will need antibiotics, and if her breathing is labored, she may receive humidified oxygen or---in rare cases---receive air through a breathing tube in her windpipe.
