what is croup?

Answer 1

Croup is a viral respiratory infection in which the larynx and the trachea become inflamed. The airway swells and becomes blocked due to excessive mucus production. During respiration, the child's airway partially collapses, causing breathing difficulties. It is this partial collapsing of the airway that causes the child to produce the characteristic croup "barking" cough.

Occurrence of Croup
Croup is generally found in children between 6 months and 3 years of age because the trachea is small, soft and pliable. Croup is less common in older children because the size of the trachea is much larger and more rigid, and therefore collapsing is less likely to occur. Croup is also more common in boys than girls and outbreaks most often occur late in the fall and winter. Croup may occur more than once in some children.

Causes of Croup
Croup is caused by parainfluenza, influenza, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus, and measles.

Answer 2

Croup = Laryngotracheobronchitis

ie inflammation of your larynx, trachea & bronchi.

It is caused mainly by parainfluenza virus, RSV & measles and rarely by staph aureus ( a bacteria).

Mainly occurs in children 6 mths-6yrs

symptoms= hoarse,fever, runny nose, fast heart beat, inspiratory wheeze.

for treatment of severe cases, adrenaline & corticosteriods may be used by medical personnel.

hope that helped.