Children can develop croup at any period throughout the year but more possible to occur during the late fall or winter. The reason for this might be due to the abundance of viruses such as the flu and common cold at this time of the year. The usual symptoms of croup include the following:
- Barking cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Croaky or hoarse voice
- Stark grate-like sound while inhaling (stridor)
Take note that stridor is quite noticeable when the child cries or coughs. In severe cases, it can also develop while the child is asleep or resting. In most cases, the symptoms are worse during night.
Some children have cold-like symptoms for a few days before the symptoms of croup develop. These cold-like symptoms include the following:
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
Take note that stridor is quite noticeable when the child cries or coughs. - Cough
- High temperature or fever
Even though the symptoms of croup typically last for a few days, they can occasionally persist for up to 2 weeks.
When to seek care
Croup is usually diagnosed by a doctor and the mild cases can be readily managed at home. Nevertheless, it is vital to seek medical care if the child develops any of the following symptoms:
- Severe breathing difficulty
- Distressed and agitated
- Increased breathing rate or “silent” chest (lack of breathing sounds)
- Worsening cough or stridor
- Bluish-tinged, dark or pale skin
- Skin surrounding the ribs and chest appears to be pulled in and tight which makes the bones of the chest and ribs visible
- Rapid heart rate or a falling heart rate
- Unusual drowsiness and lethargy
- High temperature
- Inability to drink fluids
The individual should be taken to the nearest emergency department or call for emergency assistance. Take note that some of these signs and symptoms can point to a dangerous condition called as epiglottitis.
The symptoms can also indicate the inflammation of the windpipe that also requires immediate medical care. If the child experiences breathing difficulty, seek immediate medical attention.
What are the causes of croup?
Croup is due to a viral infection which causes the larynx to swell up while the trachea is blocked and can even affect the bronchi in the lungs.
Parainfluenza virus
This is the most common cause of croup. The four strains of the parainfluenza virus are responsible for most cases of croup – parainfluenza I, II, III and IV.
Parainfluenza I – is to blame for most cases of croup in children. The virus can spread via close contact with an infected individual as well as contaminated surfaces and objects. Just like with various viruses, the virus can also spread by breathing in droplets from sneezes or coughs.
There are also other viruses that can trigger croup such as the following:
- Influenza A and B
- Enteroviruses
- Measles virus (children who were not yet immunized against measles)
- Rhinovirus (common cold)
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – can cause severe breathing problems and pneumonia among infants