General Information About Croup Disease
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the swelling and narrowing of the vocal cords (larynx) and the windpipe just below it due to viruses, usually following an upper respiratory tract infection (cold).
When the airway swells and narrows, air being forced through this narrow space as the child breathes in, and especially coughs, creates a harsh, hoarse, barking cough sound resembling the sound of a seal.
It is most commonly seen in babies and children between 6 months and 3 years old. Because their airways are anatomically narrow, they get blocked quickly. Attacks usually begin suddenly during the night in autumn and winter months.
If the child is making a whistling/wheezing sound (called stridor) while breathing in, if the chest or neck muscles are pulling inward during inspiration, and if there is a bluish discoloration around the lips, the airway is about to close completely, and emergency medical intervention is mandatory.
Crying increases shortness of breath, so the child should be calmed and held. Cool and humid air resolves the edema in the airways; therefore, taking the child to an open window and letting them breathe the cool air alleviates the attacks.
Because it is viral, antibiotics do not work. In the hospital, cold vapor, adrenaline vapor via mask, and oral/intravenous cortisone (steroid) medications are given to rapidly reduce the airway edema.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
