Croup is an acute infectious laryngotracheitis which occurs mostly in children less than six years of age(although the peak incidence is around two years). It is characterized by a barking cough, hoarse voice and respiratory difficulties, which are typically seen to occur at night.
Symptoms of croup
Croup usually begins as an ordinary cold with symptoms such as a runny nose, slight rise of temperature and a mild cough.
Within a week, a child with croup develops a barking cough with noisy breathing. The voice also sounds hoarse. These symptoms start up suddenly at night, and the cough is akin to a barking seal (according to some experts). Furthermore, the breathing becomes noisy and may be of a crowing character, because of difficulty in drawing …show more content…
These are often spread between preschool children who have not yet gained immunity to the microorganisms, such as those between three months and five years of age. However, in a few cases older children can also develop croup. The peak incidence is around 24 months, and the highest number of cases occurs between October and March.
Bacterial infections (caused by staphylococci, for instance) may also cause swelling of the trachea, also known as bacterial tracheitis. Other less common causes of croup include allergies, foreign bodies stuck in the upper trachea, inhaling irritant substances or acid regurgitating into the esophagus causing irritation of the mucous membrane and the nearby trachea.
The viruses or bacteria are transmitted by touching contaminated surfaces and then one’s eyes, nose or mouth. Inhaling respiratory droplets laden with bacteria and/or viruses that are sneezed or coughed into the air is also an important mechanism of
Symptoms of croup
Croup usually begins as an ordinary cold with symptoms such as a runny nose, slight rise of temperature and a mild cough.
Within a week, a child with croup develops a barking cough with noisy breathing. The voice also sounds hoarse. These symptoms start up suddenly at night, and the cough is akin to a barking seal (according to some experts). Furthermore, the breathing becomes noisy and may be of a crowing character, because of difficulty in drawing …show more content…
These are often spread between preschool children who have not yet gained immunity to the microorganisms, such as those between three months and five years of age. However, in a few cases older children can also develop croup. The peak incidence is around 24 months, and the highest number of cases occurs between October and March.
Bacterial infections (caused by staphylococci, for instance) may also cause swelling of the trachea, also known as bacterial tracheitis. Other less common causes of croup include allergies, foreign bodies stuck in the upper trachea, inhaling irritant substances or acid regurgitating into the esophagus causing irritation of the mucous membrane and the nearby trachea.
The viruses or bacteria are transmitted by touching contaminated surfaces and then one’s eyes, nose or mouth. Inhaling respiratory droplets laden with bacteria and/or viruses that are sneezed or coughed into the air is also an important mechanism of