Croup
Croup refers to an upper respiratory tract infection that obstructs breathing and causes coughing. The cough and other signs and symptoms of croup are the result of swelling around the voice box (larynx), windpipe (trachea), and bronchial tubes (bronchi).
When coughing forces air out, the swollen vocal cords produce a hoarse voice. The same goes for breathing in, which produces a wheezing sound. It is important to note that croup usually occurs in young children. It is generally not serious and can be treated at home.
Croup Symptoms
Croup symptoms tend to be most severe in children under the age of 3. This is because a child’s respiratory system is smaller than an adult’s. Common symptoms in most cases of croup include:
- Cold symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose.
- Cough.
- Hard to breathe.
- Hoarse voice.
Get medical attention right away if croup threatens your child’s ability to breathe. Call your doctor right away if your child has symptoms such as:
- Wheezing when breathing.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Bluish or gray skin color around the nose, mouth, and fingernails.
Croup that lasts more than a week, recurs frequently or is accompanied by a high fever should be seen by a doctor immediately. An examination is needed to rule out a bacterial infection or other more serious conditions.
Causes of Croup
There are several viruses that can cause croup. In most cases it comes from:
- Parainfluenza viruses (the common flu).
- Adenovirus (another group of common cold viruses).
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
- The most common germs that attack young children.
- Measles.
- Allergies.
- Exposure to inhaled irritants.
- Bacterial infection.
Croup is caused by a virus that infects the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea). The most common virus that causes croup is parainfluenza. Croup symptoms are usually mild in the early stages, but can worsen if left untreated.
Spasmodic croup is rare. It comes on suddenly, usually in the middle of the night. Doctors believe it is caused by allergies or reflux, which is when a baby’s stomach contents come back up into their esophagus.
Children can become infected with the virus when they breathe in infected droplets into the air. Virus particles in the droplets can linger on toys and other surfaces. If a child touches a contaminated surface and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth, infection may occur.
Croup Risk Factors
There are several factors that can increase the risk of developing croup, including:
- Age 6 months to 3 years. The peak susceptibility to this condition occurs at 18-24 months.
- Children with a weakened immune system, or having parents with asthma, may increase the risk of bronchial laryngitis.
Diagnosis Croup
A doctor will diagnose croup in a child by:
- Pay attention to and observe the child’s breathing.
- Checking the child’s chest with a stethoscope.
- Checking the child’s throat.
Sometimes X-rays and other tests are needed to rule out other diseases.
Croup Treatment
Mild croup can be treated at home by preventing dehydration. Giving your little one water, breast milk, or formula is also recommended. It is very important to make your little one feel comfortable and not cry, because crying can make their condition worse.
If your little one’s croup is quite severe, the doctor will likely give an adrenaline injection through a nebulizer. Your little one will be asked to inhale the medicine in the form of small water droplets. In other cases, your little one may need intubation, which is the insertion of a tube through the nostrils or mouth through the trachea to facilitate breathing. This process requires general anesthesia so that your little one does not feel afraid and sick.
Fatal croup is very rare because it will improve within 48 hours. While the symptoms can last for two weeks. Therefore, it is necessary to treat it immediately so that it does not get worse.
If not treated properly, croup can cause complications such as middle ear infections or pneumonia. If after receiving treatment at the hospital your little one’s condition does not improve, the doctor may recommend further examination to look for other possible disorders by performing an X-ray examination of the neck and chest area.
Prevention of Croup in Children
Preventing croup is the same as preventing colds and flu, namely by:
- Washing your hands frequently is the most important thing.
- Keep children away from anyone who is sick.
- Teach children the proper way to sneeze and cough, namely by directing their nose and mouth to their elbow.
To prevent more serious infections, get vaccinated against a variety of diseases. Vaccines for diphtheria and Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) offer protection against some of the rarest — but most dangerous — upper respiratory infections. However, there is no vaccine that protects against parainfluenza viruses.
When to See a Doctor?
Contact a doctor immediately if your little one experiences the following:
- Having noisy breathing sounds, which are high pitched both when inhaling and exhaling.
- Frequent drooling and difficulty swallowing.
- Appears anxious, restless, or tired.
- Breathing faster than usual or difficulty breathing.
- Having blue-gray skin around the nose, mouth, or nails.
