What is Croup -
An illness caused by a viral infection in the area of a child's vocal cords. It is recognized by a 'barking' cough, and
fever. Croup generally lasts for five or six days and most commonly affects children aged between 2 months and 5 years old.
What causes Croup - It is most often caused by parainfluenza virus, but some other viruses and bacterial infections can also cause
it. It is the body's reaction to the infection that causes the respiratory problems. It usually occurs in young children
as their airways are smaller and shaped differently then adults, making them more susceptible. Children in some families
are more susceptible than others, due to gene traits. Croup is usually, but not always, caused by parainfluenza viruses.
Symptoms Of Croup
One of the distinctive characteristics of croup is the sudden onset of symptoms.
Children will usually be well when they went to bed, and will then wake up in the middle of the night with a croupy cough,
trouble breathing, and maybe a fever. The cough that children with croup have is very distinctive, unlike other viral
respiratory illnesses, which can cause a deep or rough cough, croup causes a cough that sounds like a 'bark'.
Treatment For Croup
- There is no cure for croup, but there are many treatments that can help your child
to feel better sooner. Here are a few tips to treat croup and make your child feel more comfortable: Make sure your child
gets plenty of rest and naps. Give him or her lots of fluids to drink, such as water, juice, soda.
Don't give your child cough syrups, but instead try increasing fluids for helping the croup cough.
Check with your child's doctor for the correct amounts of Tylenol to help with fever and any chest discomfort he or she
may be feeling. If you have a humidifier running it with plain water may help your chld breathe better also. If your childs symptoms get worse, take him
or her to the local ER to be safe, and follow the doctors advice. Croup will usually get better over 3-4 days. Antibiotics
do not help as croup is caused by a viral infection.
Preventing Croup
- Since croup is caused by a viral infection, the main way of preventing croup is by
preventing the infection. You may be able to prevent croup attacks. Croup symptoms seem to improve with humidifier use,
using one causes little risk and may benefit your child. Be sure to empty, clean, and completely dry out the humidifier
between each use to prevent mold growth which can make your child or entire family sick. Offer every child plenty of fluids
to drink. If you or someone else smokes, do so outside away from any children.
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