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By: Amy Molina. RN.C

Croup is a viral infection of the vocal cords. It usually comes along with a cold. It is infamous for the distinctive cough that occurs. The cough sounds tight, metallic and like a barking seal. The baby's voice or cry is usually hoarse. A harsh, raspy, vibrating sound is heard when the child breathes in. The high pitched noise is called stridor. Stridor occurs, as the opening between the vocal cords becomes narrower. Stridor is usually only present when crying or coughing. As the croup gets worse, stridor also occurs when the child is sleeping or relaxed.

Because croup is a viral infection, antibiotics have no effect on the condition unless a secondary infection develops such as an Upper Respiratory Infection.

Croup usually lasts 5 to 6 days and generally gets worse at night. During this time, it can change from mild to severe many times. The worst symptoms are seen in children under the age of 3-years-old.

Croup is very common in the winter months.

Symptoms of croup in children include:

  • feverhoarseness
  • harsh, barking cough (similar to the sounds of a barking seal)
  • restlessness
  • agitation
  • noisy inspirations (high-pitched sound)
  • fast breathing inspiratory retractions (muscles around the chest pull in when breathing in)
  • pale skin or bluish tinge around the mouth (from lack of oxygen)

If your child develops stridor or tight breathing or a barky cough, first try warm moist air as directed below. Most children settle down with these treatments in about 20 minutes and sleep peacefully through the night.

If your child has severe stridor and shows signs of severe respiratory distress (nasal flaring, chest sinking in, ribcage showing) call your doctor immediately.

The virus that causes croup is contagious until the fever is gone or at least 3 days into the illness. Since the spread of this infection really can't be prevented, your child can return to school once he feels better.

Call 911 if child is turning blue or passes out.

Croup Home Remedies

Call your doctor if:

Breathing is labored or difficult

Your child develops drooling, spitting or great difficulty swallowing.

Develops retraction (tugging between the ribs)

The lips appear bluish or dusky.

You feel the child is getting worse.

The attacks of stridor occur more than 3 times in a given day.

If your child is not drinking fluids.

Your child develops a fever.

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Croup - Respiratory Distress

 

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