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Croup is an infection of the throat and windpipe (larynx and trachea) that results in a hoarse voice, noisy breathing and a harsh, barking cough. Children with croup usually have a ‘cold’ first, then (particularly when the air is colder, such as at night-time) the croupy breathing and cough start. Most of the children who have croup are under five years old. Because they are small, their airway is narrow; when infection causes swelling of its lining, it becomes even narrower causing difficulty when the child is breathing in.
Often the child will have been mildly unwell for a couple of days with a runny nose, cough and slight temperature. Then the child wakes during the night with a barking cough, hoarse voice and difficulty breathing. This can last a couple of hours and reappear for the next couple of nights. Some older children (aged between three and eight years) may develop occasional croup, even when they don’t have a cold.
Symptoms
The symptoms of croup include: Serious signs need urgent medical care
If the child’s symptoms don’t settle quickly with comforting and once they stop crying, the child needs to be seen by a doctor urgently. Signs that the windpipe obstruction is getting worse, and therefore demands urgent medical attention, include: Breathing more quickly. Restlessness, anxiety and sweating. Continuous soft stridor (noisy breathing). Bluish tinge to the lips. ‘Caving in’ of the soft tissues of the neck and between the ribs when the child tries to breathe in.
In these situations, the child should be taken to the nearest children’s hospital or to a hospital where there are doctors with experience in caring for children - urgently.
Get help immediately if your child is not well
The symptoms of croup are similar to those caused by other, much more serious conditions. Your child could have epiglottitis (inflammation of the epiglottis). This requires urgent medical care. See your doctor immediately if your child: Is obviously not well Has a high fever Has difficulty breathing Makes a noise while breathing (particularly a snoring sound on breathing out, even when resting) Has difficulty swallowing Suddenly starts to cough.
Protecting children from croup
The viruses that cause croup are very similar to those of the common cold. They start to be infectious with the first signs, such as a runny nose and cough, and remain infectious for up to five days. Most people who get these viruses will not develop croup. About one in 10 children who get the virus infection will get croup.
It is not usually possible to prevent croup, since many viruses can cause it and there is no immunisation available against most of them. True influenza (flu) can also cause croup and, in this instance, immunisation may be effective. However, influenza vaccine is only recommended for children with underlying diseases, like asthma and cystic fibrosis. Antibiotics don’t work, because viruses don’t respond to antibiotics.
Home remedies for mild croup
You can treat mild croup at home if your child has no breathing problems or noisy breathing when they are not crying. Suggestions include: Comforting is very important. Having a croupy cough and noisy breathing frightens children, and being scared makes the situation worse. Offer frequent drinks (unless they are having difficulty swallowing). If your child has a high fever or sore throat, and your doctor is sure that this is not epiglottitis, give them paracetamol (in the dose appropriate to their weight). Increased moisture in the air may help your child feel better, although it has not been shown to get rid of the illness any more quickly. Sitting in the bathroom with hot water flowing or using a vaporiser, may be useful. Beware of scald injuries.
Professional treatment
Mild croup generally settles within a couple of hours and the child goes back to sleep. If the croup doesn’t settle, or if your child becomes more distressed or unwell, take them to your doctor or children’s hospital straight away. 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. Antibiotics do not help because the infection is caused by a virus.
Where to get help Your doctor Emergency department of your nearest hospital Maternal and Child Health Services Tel. (03) 9853 0844 after hours or 1800 134 883 In an emergency, always call an ambulance Tel. 000
Things to remember Croup is a viral infection of the throat and windpipe that causes noisy breathing, a hoarse voice and a harsh, barking cough. Croup usually starts as a ‘cold’ for a few days, then the noisy breathing and cough starts (usually at night). You can treat mild croup at home if your child has no breathing problems or noisy breathing when they are not crying. Medical treatment of croup may include hospitalisation, steroids and nebulised adrenalin. If there are signs of increasing windpipe obstruction, seek urgent medical help.
Article couresy of http://www.disability.vic.gov.au/dsonline/dsarticles.nsf/pages/Croup_in_detail?OpenDocument
| Published in : , Respiratory System |
| Keywords : croup, infection, throat, windpipe, larynx, trachea, hoarse voice, noisy breathing, barking, cough, airway, swelling |
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