What is Croup?
Croup is an infection causing a partial blockage of air as it flows through the larynx (voice box).
Croup is an infection causing a partial blockage of air as it flows through the larynx (voice box).
The noise can be very frightening, and your child's cough may sound like a seal barking. When your child breathes in you may hear a harsh, rasping sound, which is called stridor. The child's voice may be hoarse, too.
Croup may appear after your child has had a cold for several days. Croup is usually caused by a virus and may last several days. Sometimes croup comes on suddenly in the middle of the night. It may occur more than one time in a child's life.
Because your child cannot move air in and out of their lungs easily, you may see some of the following symptoms:
Stay calm. Croup is frightening to the child and parents. A crying, upset child tends to make the croup worse. Parents can help to relieve croup by being calm themselves, which helps to quiet the child. This relieves the tightness around the larynx and allows the child to breathe more easily.
Activities such as coloring and looking at books together will help your child stay calm and quiet so they may breathe more easily.
Your observations of your child are important. Tell the doctor what you have seen and what you have done. This information will help the doctor care for your child.
Last Updated 03/2023
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