Croup is a common childhood illness characterized by swelling in the upper airway. It can develop due to certain viruses, the most common of which is parainfluenza. If you suspect your little one is experiencing this condition, find out more about this illness in the article below to determine whether it’s time to see a doctor.

What Is Croup?

Croup is a viral infection of the upper airway that can make breathing challenging. Swelling narrows the passage and gives kids affected by it a distinctive barking cough similar to the sound of a seal barking. The name comes from an older Scottish word meaning “to cry out hoarsely.” More severe cases can result in conditions like pneumonia or middle ear infections.

What Are the Symptoms?

The most notable side effect of croup is its cough, which can worsen due to crying, coughing, anxiety, and distress. Children affected by the illness can also make a whistling sound—called stridor—from the throat while drawing breath. Fever, hoarseness, and labored breathing are other common symptoms and are typically at their worst at night. They can also last for two to five days.

How Is It Treated?

To diagnose the illness, a doctor will examine your child’s breathing, listen to their chest with a stethoscope, and inspect their throat. Most cases of croup are mild and will pass within a few days, requiring little more than rest and nutrition to help kids recover. 

The most important step a parent can take when their child has croup is to comfort them and help them relax. Otherwise, anxiety and discomfort will worsen the symptoms while the illness runs its course.

Your little one’s doctor may also prescribe corticosteroids or epinephrine to reduce swelling in the airway. In more severe cases, it could be necessary for a child to be hospitalized while they receive specialized, round-the-clock care and monitoring.

If you’re worried your child has croup, bring them to Walton Family Medicine PC for dependable pediatric care. Serving patients throughout Monroe, GA, the doctors at this trusted medical practice use the latest medical equipment and extensive training to diagnose and treat various childhood illnesses. Call (770) 267-7093 to schedule an appointment, and visit them online for more information on their services.