Croup is a childhood illness characterized by a cough that sounds like a barking seal. It is caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold. After several days of cold symptoms, the child develops a barking cough, hoarseness, and noisy breathing. Croup is most often seen in children between the ages of six months and three years.

There are two types of croup, viral and spasmodic. Viral croup begins with a cold that develops into a barking cough. The airway swells making breathing noisy and more difficult. Some children may run a fever as high as 104 degrees F. The greatest danger is if the windpipe swells so much that breathing is impossible.

Spasmodic croup causes spasms that occur during the night and early morning. The child will awaken grasping for breath within 1 to 3 hours after going to bed. During the spasms, hoarseness, and a barking cough are evident. A whistling type noise called wheezing may be heard when the child breathes in and out. The spasms usually do not occur during the day. There are often signs of improvement in breathing and hoarseness during the day as well.

Self care includes the following:
* Hold and console the child.
* Run only hot water in the shower to steam up the bathroom.
* Take the child into the bathroom and close the door,
* cuddle the child in your lap while quieting them by reading a story. The warm humidified air should ease the breathing within 15 to 20 minutes. The croupy cough will still exist. Repeat this for each spasmodic episode during the night.
* If the steamy bathroom session does not work, and the outside temperature is cool, take the child outdoors for a few minutes. Inhaling the cold, moist night air may loosen up the air passages. The child may be able to breathe more easily.
* Use a cool mist humidifier or vaporizer in the child's room.

Take the child to the nearest emergency room IMMEDIATELY if the child seems to be struggling to get a breath, appears extremely anxious or frightened, is drooling and can't swallow, cannot speak, chest sinks in when he tries to breathe in or makes a whistling or crowing sound while breathing in. Medical care depends on the type and degree of seriousness of the illness. Fever is often seen as a sign of trouble, although absence of fever does not mean the condition is not serious. Infants and toddlers between 6 months and 3 years of age are at most risk, but any aged person, even an adult can become seriously ill with croup. Croup usually lasts for 5 to 6 days and may occur in epidemics every other year.

Choose a Health Topic Category Aging Alcohol Problems Allergies Arthritis Back & Neck Problems Blood & Circulatory Problems Bones, Joints & Muscles Brain & Nervous System Cancer Cardiovascular Health Child Health & Development Common Illnesses Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surg Dental Health Diabetes Digestive System Drug Abuse Ear, Nose & Throat Eating Disorders Exercise & Fitness Eyes & Vision Family Planning Foot Care General Health Genetic Disorders & Birth Defects Headaches Health Quizzes Hearing HIV Infections / AIDS Hormonal Disorders Infectious Diseases Medications Men's Health Mental & Emotional Health Nervous System Newborn Care Nutrition Parenting & Family Life Personal Safety Pregnancy & Childbirth Preparing for Emergencies Respiratory Problems Sexually Transmitted Diseases Skin Health Smoking Sports Medicine Stress & How to cope Surgery Symptoms Teenage Concerns Test & Examinations Urinary and Genital Systems Weight Control Women's Health   Go