Croup

General Information on Croup

Croup, medically referred to as laryngotracheobronchitis, is an infection and swelling of the larynx (vocal chords). It can extend from the larynx to other areas of the throat and lungs. Croup can occur at any age, but children under the age of 5 are most commonly affected.

Symptoms of Croup

The infection may develop gradually with a cold, low fever, or cough. In other instances symptoms may appear suddenly, often in the middle of the night, without much warning. Symptoms generally include:

“Barking cough” - may worsen if a child is crying
Difficulty breathing (esp. at night)
Wheezing or loud breathing
Throat discomfort
Difficulty swallowing
Hoarseness

In more sever cases symptom may also include:

Rapid breathing
Paleness
Rib that draw inward when taking a breath
Bluing skin around the mouth

Treatments For Croup

A diagnosis can easily be made through a basic physical examination by your doctor. Self-care and rest is usually all that is needed to treat croup. If the child is experiencing severe symptoms and difficulty breathing, hospital care and oxygen may need to be administered. There are not drugs to treat croup. However, the condition usually clears up in about a week or less. If your child is experiencing symptoms similar to those listed above, contact your doctor for further examination.

Personal Experience

Croup - personal experiences