What exactly is croup cough?

Question

I was told by my doctor that my little girl has it, but since I have never really heard of this, I was hopping if any of you have information on it you would be so kind as to pass it tome. As a mother I instanly get nervous but I want to now if it is serious or not.. Please Help, desperate mother here!

Answer 1

My daugther had croup a few months ago. It happens when the airways get inflammed from a common cold/respiratory virus and they shrink somewhat. The cough sounds like a seal bark, but it's just because the airways are tighter than normal so the cough is a bit forced.

It's not contagious but the virus that brought the croup on may be lingering so wash your hands constantly. Babies get croup because of their already tiny airwaves. If it's really bad, they'll prescribe her with steroids to open the airways, but they don't do that often. The bark is worse than the bite so don't worry.


What helps is taking your girl into a steamy bathroom with the shower running and let her take in the steam. It will help open her airways a bit. Even getting some air outside helps. You could also use the vicks plug ins and humidifier to help her, too.

She'll be fine. It will go away. It's just one of those things they go through.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Croup is a specific viral illness which generally affects children under 2 years.

The expression croupy cough is more general and is really just a description of the noise made when the patient coughs. It is a dry barking cough. It gives no real clue to the pathophysiology of the disease.

Generally the management is simply supportive, i often describe this as P.D.S = paracetamol drinks and sympathy. Antibiotics are rarely relevant ( But it is important I should never use the word never), steam was advocated until about 20 years ago when controlled studies showed it was worse than useless, similarly things like 'Vick' should be avoided. Cough mixtures have no place at all in management and the cough suppressants can increase the risk of infection.

If the child becomes distressed or breathless sometimes hospital admission is needed and nebulisers or steroids are sometimes tried. overall however most of these illnesses are self limiting.

If your daughter's condition causes you further concern it is always important to contact your GP.

Answer 3

Croup encompasses a group of conditions that involve inflammation of the upper airway. Most croup is caused by viruses. Croup has a cough that sounds like a seal barking. Most children have what seems to be a mild cold for several days, before the cough becomes evident. As it gets more frequent, there may be labored breathing or a harsh, crowing noise when your child breathes in. It is typically much worse at night. It often lasts for five or six nights, but the first night or two are the most severe. You can read more about croup here
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/croup.html

Answer 4

Croup cough is easily treated with a small dosage of Hydrobromic acid to the throat of the young child, PH is -9 and dispells any mucus buildup causing the incorrect vibrato in the throat.. It's mildly contageous and coughing will subside after spraying the medicine down the back of the throat. keeping you worry free.

Purchase Zicam (Pink box) either dissolvable cough tabs or cough spray in a small 3.5 in. tall box.. the medicine is OTC at any department store / pharmacy and runs about 6-7 dollars. for a small child be sure to use as directed.

I'd also suggest getting some green tea extract in pill form or liquid for anti-oxidant health for the child, and for you.\

As far as seriousness.. nothing in the youth of a child should be taken lightly, but at the same time it's common for something like this to develop in the early winter months.

Answer 5

not real serious, they cough and sound like they are barking. When that happens, you'll find if you take them outside in the cold air, or into the bathroom with the steamy shower running, it will stop. I can't tell you how many times you'd find me on the front step at 3 am in 20 below weather holding a barking kid! But it works!

Answer 6

The term croup does not refer to a single illness, but rather a group of conditions involving inflammation of the upper airway that leads to a cough that sounds like a bark, particularly when a child is crying.

Most croup is caused by viruses, but similar symptoms may occasionally be caused by bacteria or an allergic reaction. The viruses most commonly involved are parainfluenza virus (accounting for most cases), adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, and measles.

Most children with viral croup are between the ages of 3 months and 5 years old. Croup is most likely to occur during the winter months and early spring, and symptoms are most severe in children younger than 3 years of age.

Most croup due to viruses is mild and can be treated at home, though rarely viral croup can be severe and even life-threatening. Some children are more prone to developing croup, especially those who were born prematurely or with narrowed upper airways.

The term spasmodic croup refers to a condition similar to viral croup, except that there are no accompanying symptoms of an infection. The cough frequently begins at night with a sudden onset. The child usually has no fever with spasmodic croup. The symptoms are treated the same for either form of croup.

Signs and Symptoms

Croup is characterized by a loud cough that may sound like the barking of a seal and may be accompanied by fast or difficult breathing and sometimes a grunting noise or wheezing while breathing.

At first, a child may have cold symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose for a few days and may also have fever. As the upper airway (the lining of the windpipe and the voice box) becomes progressively inflamed and swollen, the child may become hoarse, with a harsh, barking cough.

If the upper airway becomes swollen to the point where it is partially blocked off, it becomes even more difficult for a child to breathe. This happens with severe croup. With severe croup, there may be a high-pitched or squeaking noise when breathing in (this is called stridor). A child will tend to breathe very fast, and the stomach or the skin between the child's ribs may seem to pull in during breathing. The child may also appear pale or bluish around the mouth because he is not getting enough oxygen.

Symptoms of croup often worsen at night and when the child is upset or crying. In addition to the effects on the upper airway, the infections that cause croup can result in inflammation further down the airway, including the bronchi (breathing tubes) and the lungs.

Treatment

Most, though not all, cases of viral croup are mild. Breathing in moist air seems to relieve many of the symptoms. Doctors will also sometimes treat with steroids, which helps with the airway swelling.

One way to humidify the air is with a cool-mist humidifier. Having your child breathe in the moist air through the mouth will sometimes break a croup attack. Or try running a hot shower to create a steam-filled bathroom where you can sit with your child for 10 minutes. Try cuddling and reading a bedtime story while doing this to help calm your child.

Sometimes, during cooler months, taking your child outside for a few minutes can help break the attack because the cool air can shrink the swollen tissues lining the airway. Parents can also try driving the child in the car with the windows down to bring in cool air.

If your child has croup, consider sleeping overnight in the same room to provide close observation. If you are not able to break your child's fast breathing and croupy cough, call your child's doctor or seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Medical professionals will need to evaluate your child if the croup appears serious or if there's any suspicion of airway blockage or bacterial infection. Medications such as epinephrine or corticosteroids may be given to reduce swelling in the upper airways. Oxygen may also be given, and sometimes a child with croup will remain in the hospital overnight for observation. As with most illnesses, rest and plenty of fluids are recommended.

Duration

The symptoms of croup generally peak 2 to 3 days after the symptoms of infection start. Croup resulting from viral infection usually lasts less than a week.

Complications

The vast majority of children recover from croup with no complications. Rarely, some children will develop complications such as ear infection or pneumonia.

Children who were born prematurely or who have a history of lung disease (such as asthma) are more likely to develop severe symptoms of croup and may require hospitalization. Croup rarely causes any long-term complications.

Prevention

Frequent hand washing and avoiding contact with people who have respiratory infections are the best ways to reduce the chance of spreading the viruses that cause croup.

When to Call Your Child's Doctor

Immediately call your child's doctor or seek medical attention if your child has any of the following symptoms:

difficulty breathing, including rapid breathing, belly sinking in while breathing, or the skin
between the ribs pulling in with each breath
stridor
pale or bluish color around the mouth
drooling or difficulty swallowing
greater inactivity than usual when ill
high fever
very sick appearance