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Common Childhood Illnesses... Croup |
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Anonymous Author (February 2007) |
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What is it?
Croup is when the breathing tubes swell up just below the vocal cords. It is usually caused by a virus. It is very common in Winter with the cooler weather when common colds are going around.
What are the symptoms?
Your baby or child will usually have a cold beforehand. Things like a sore throat, runny nose, temperature and irritability. Then they will develop a cough. Its like a barking cough and sometimes they will get a hoarse voice and noisy breathing even when sleeping. The wheeze happens when they breath in (unlike asthma when it happens as they breath out).
What is the treatment?
Usually croup isnt serious and they will get better in a few days without treatment. It is just like a cold. Sometimes steroids like prednisilone will be needed for a couple of days if its bad. There is no need for antibiotics because its caused by a virus and not bacteria. In severe cases the baby or child may have real trouble breathing. Flairing nostrils, the chest sucking, trouble eating and drinking or feeding from breast or bottle. In In severe cases
TAKE YOUR CHILD TO THE DOCTOR OR HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY.
Is it contaigious?
NO! Croup itself is not contagious. If children are exposed to it they may come down with a cold but will not get croup.
