Croup

What is Croup?

Croup is an infection of the larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), and bronchial tubes (airways). It often worsens at night and improves in the morning. Croup usually lasts about 3 days. However, once croup is over, the cough may persist.

Croup usually occurs during the winter months and early spring. The symptoms are most severe in children younger than 3 years of age. Symptoms can also worsen at night and when the child is crying or upset.

Symptoms of Croup

The most common symptoms are: difficulty breathing and loud cough.

Emergency Symptoms

You should take your child to the emergency room if he or she has any of these symptoms:

• drooling or extreme difficulty coughing
• inability to bend the neck forward
• blue lips
• pitched noises when inhaling
• heart rate greater than 160 beats per minute
• rapid, or difficult breathing
• pale skin
• excessive perspiration
• anxiousness
• inability to speak

What causes Croup?

Croup is caused by a virus. It usually affects children between the ages of 3 months and 5 years. Boys are more often affected than girls.

How is Croup Transmitted?

Croup is transmitted through person to person contact.

Can Croup be Treated?

Croup can be treated. Your doctor will prescribe medicines to help the symptoms of croup. Use of a humidifier may be suggested to ease the coughing and pain.

Antibiotics will not be prescribed because croup is caused by a virus and antibiotics do not affect viruses.

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