children s health issues
Croup
Introduction
Croup is an inflammation of the windpipe (trachea) and voice box (larynx) typically caused by a contagious viral infection that causes cough, a loud squeaking noise (stridor), and sometimes difficulty with breathing in (inspiration). Croup is caused by viruses. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, and a typical bark-like cough. The diagnosis is based on symptoms. Most children recover at home, but those who require hospitalization receive fluids, oxygen, and drugs. Croup primarily affects children 6 months to 3 years of age. Most children have only a single episode of croup, but a few have repeated episodes (called spasmodic croup), initiated by viral infections, that gradually decrease in frequency and severity. Allergies or airway reactivity (such as occurs in Asthma in Children ) may play a role in spasmodic croup. 