What is Croup and Its Signs and Symptoms

Croup is an infection of the throat and vocal cords (or larynx), caused by a virus. When children younger than 5 years of age have the infection, it is called croup. In older children, it is called laryngitis.

Signs and symptoms
·    Croup often begins like a normal cold e.g. runny nose and cough.
·    Then your child will get a harsh, barking, croupy sounding cough.
·    Your child’s voice may be hoarse.
·    They may have a noise when breathing in, called 'stridor'.
·    The symptoms are usually worse at night and reach their worst on the second or third night.
·    Croup may last for 3-4 days.

Croup is characterized by a brassy cough that sounds rather like a seal barking. Most children have what appears to be a mild cold for several days before one evening when the barking cough becomes evident. As the cough gets more frequent, the child may have stridor (a harsh, crowing noise made during inspiration).

Prognosis
Viral croup is a self-limited disease, but can very rarely result in death from complete airway obstruction. Symptoms may last up to 7 days, but typically peak around the second day of illness. Rarely, croup can be complicated by (or confused with) an acute bacterial tracheitis, which is more dangerous.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF CROUP?
Most croup is caused by viruses, but it can also be caused by bacteria or an allergic reaction. Acute laryngotracheitis is one of the most common causes of croup. It occurs mostly in winter and usually affects pre-school children. Croup is most common between the months of October and March. The incubation period, which is the time between infection and the onset of the symptoms, depends on the virus, which is causing croup. The incubation period for parainfluenza virus is usually 3-5 days.

Duration
Croup usually lasts for five to six days. Symptoms are usually most severe during the first three days, and can vary in severity during this time from mild to severe and back again. A mild cough can last for a further week. Most children with croup recover quickly.

Is croup contagious?
Croup is contagious, and it is usually spread by airborne infectious droplets sneezed or coughed into the air by infected children.

When infectious droplets are inhaled by a healthy child, symptoms can develop in two to three days. The infection can also be spread by infected mucus deposited on doors, furniture, toys, and other objects. A healthy child can become infected by
accidentally touching the infectious mucus and transferring the infection into his/her mouth.

Professional treatment
Medical treatment for croup may include:
·    Oral steroids - or inhaled steroids, if the oral steroids are not tolerated. Steroids decrease the length of the croup episodes. They also reduce the need for admission to hospital.

·    Nebulised adrenalin - in severe symptoms, nebulised adrenalin may be given (in hospital) to relieve the swelling in the windpipe until the steroids work.

Croup - Home Treatment
1.Use a cool air humidifier in your child's room. Do not use a hot vaporizer, and make sure to put only plain water in the humidifier.

2.Offer plenty of fluids to drink. Always have water available and try offering other beverages, frozen ice treats (such as Popsicles), or crushed ice drinks several times each hour.
3.Do not smoke, especially in the house.