Croup is a condition due to a virus infection which causes swelling starting from the upper airways in a child. This causes a distinctive cough that sounds like barking, a hoarse voice or cry, and occasionally a noisy sound that is high-pitched when breathing in (also known as “stridor”).
Many different viruses can cause croup. These include parainfluenza viruses and adenoviruses. As such, some children may experience more than one episode of croup in their lifetime. Usually, children under the age of 3 can experience croup; croup occurring in older children is less common but can still happen.
Signs & Symptoms
Your child’s cough sounds barking and hoarse.
Your child has a noisy high-pitched sound during breathing, especially when he or she cries. You may also hear it even when the child is not crying, if the condition is more severe.
Sometimes you may observe your child to have dimpling of the chest wall, in between their ribs, at their neck, or their tummy may seem to move in and out very quickly.
One or several of the above may occur at the same time. If any of the above symptoms is noticed, you should bring your child to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Diagnosis and Treatment
At the clinic or Children’s Emergency, your child’s oxygen level and breathing rate will be checked. Following that, the doctor will listen to your child’s cough and auscultate your child’s chest to hear for any abnormal sounds. In croup, the doctor may hear sounds both with and without a stethoscope.
If your child is diagnosed with croup, depending on the severity of the swelling of the airways, they will receive different forms of treatment. These may range from oral steroid medications to nebulisers or a combination of these. Your doctor will also advise whether your child is fit for discharge after treatment or requires further observation in the hospital or clinic.
As croup is caused by viruses, antibiotics are generally not helpful.
What is Expected at Home After Discharge?
Good rest and adequate oral hydration are required for recovery from this condition. The barking cough will take a few days to improve.
Your doctor may prescribe some supportive treatment depending on other symptoms, such as a runny nose. Please follow your doctor’s directions for the use of these medications.
Sometimes, this infection may spread from the upper airways to the lower airways. You may then observe your child breathing harder or having a more phlegmy cough over the next few days. If so, please bring your child back to the doctor for a review.
