Croup Health Video

Croup is the term for a group of respiratory diseases, often associated with young children. Learn about croup, including treatments, in this health video.

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Get plenty of rest
Drink plenty of fluids
Use a humidifier
Seek medical attention

About this Author

Dr. Susan McGladdery is a medical graduate from Oxford University in the UK and has a Master's Degree in Medical Sciences from Cambridge University. She has been a member of the Royal College of Physicians since 1991 and a member of the American Academy of Urgent Care since 2006. She trained as a Family Physician in the UK in Oxford and then in London. In a medical career that spans over 20 years, she has worked as a doctor in 5 countries on 3 continents and cared for patients from a multitude of different nationalities and backgrounds. Dr. McGladdery joined FirstMed Centers in mid 2002 and became Regional Medical Director in 2003.

DR. SUE MCGLADDERY: Hello, my name is Dr. Sue McGladdery. I'm the medical director from FirstMed Centers in Budapest Hungary and I'd like to give you some brief information about croup. This is not just on illness, it's a group of conditions involving inflammation of the upper airway that leads to a distinctive cough that sounds a little bit like a bark when the child is crying. What are the causes of croup? Well, mostly it's caused by viruses but similar symptoms can occasionally be caused by bacteria or even by an allergic reaction. Who gets this infection? Usually, young children from the age of about 3 months up to 5 years and it happen especially during the winter months and the early spring. Symptoms are worst in children under 3 years of age. What happens if your child has croup? Well, most croup is due to viruses and is mild and it can be safely treated at home and generally all that's needed is rest and plenty of fluids. But rarely, even viral croup can be very severe and even life-threatening. In this case, the coughing gets worse typically at night. Your child's breathing may become much faster. Breathing in moist air seems to relieve many of the symptoms and if you have a cool mist humidifier that works really well. Otherwise, you can try and create a steam-filled bathroom if you open the taps on full and just wait that can often bring a lot of relief to your child. During cooler months, you can take your child outside for a few minutes and that can also help to relieve the breathing. When should you call your doctor? If your child has any difficulty with breathing that doesn't respond quickly to the steps I've mentioned, you need to call your doctor without delay. Some children with croup need urgent hospitalization for supportive treatment. Mostly though, the croup symptoms will peak within 2 or 3 days from the start of the infection and resolve within a week without any complications.

Croup Health Video

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