Croup
How harmful is croup to my child's overall health?
by the Babble Staff
November 30, 2006
Croup
THE BABBLE TAKE
Croup is not a particular illness, rather it is a name for what happens when the throat and the voice box are so swollen it leads a child's cough to sound like a bark and the inhale to sound squeaky. Doctors say that croup usually happens after a couple of days of cold symptoms and tends to be caused by viruses, though sometimes bacteria or allergies are to blame. Most cases of croup nowadays tend to be mild, though a bad case of croup can be dangerous. Doctors say croup can look very frightening, but that there are some simple measures you can take to treat croup at home. Sitting with your child in a steam-filled bathroom or taking a walk in cool outdoor air can help subdue a croup attack. However doctors say if the croup seems bad and if your child has difficulty breathing, or turns blue, he should be taken to see a doctor. In some cases doctors prescribe steroids to reduce the swelling. Croup usually strikes children between ages three months and five years, and happens more often in the winter months. Some children seem to be more prone to croup than others, and will get repeated bouts of croup throughout childhood.
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KidsHealth
"The term croup does not refer to a single illness, but rather a group of conditions involving inflammation of the upper airway that leads to a cough that sounds like a bark, particularly when a child is crying".
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BabyCenter ®
"Croup is a swelling of the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe). It can be caused by allergies, bacteria, or inhaled irritants, but usually it's the result of a virus. [...] Most cases of croup today are mild, but a severe case can be dangerous. It shows up most often between the months of October and March and in children between the ages of three months and five years."
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American Baby
"Before the era of immunizations and antibiotics, croup was a dreaded and deadly disease, usually caused by the diphtheria bacteria. Today, most cases of croup are mild. Nevertheless, it can still be a dangerous disease."
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About.com
"Children with croup usually wake up in the middle of the night with a loud cough that sounds like a barking seal. Other symptoms might include a fever, hoarse voice and runny nose."
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Dr. Sears
"Your child has had a mild cold for the past day or two, then around bedtime, you hear it starting. That barky, raspy cough that sounds like a seal asking for his next meal. If you have heard a 'croupy' cough before, there's no mistaking it. If you child has never had croup, it can be a frightening experience. Here is a quick lesson on croup to help you get through the night."
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