Croup

Croup is a viral infection of the vocal cords.  It is usually part of a cold.  The hoarseness is due to swelling of the vocal cords.  Stridor occurs as the opening between the cords becomes more narrow. Croup has a distinctive cough, it is tight and often sounds like a barking seal.  The voice is usually hoarse.  Croup usually lasts for 5 to 6 days and is generally worse at night.  The worst symptoms are seen in children under 3 years of age.  Using a cool mist vaporizer in the bedroom will help ease the cough.  Warm clear fluids may help relax the vocal cords and loosen mucus.

   If your child suddenly develops stridor or tight breathing, do the following:

• Steam up your bathroom and take the child in there for at least 10 minutes.  Warm moist air seems to relax the vocal cords and break the stridor.
• Taking them outside into the cool night air will also help to alleviate stridor.
• Increase fluid intake.
• Keeping your child as quiet and calm as possible (to help decrease the breathing effort).
• If the stridor continues, call the office IMMEDIATELY.  If your child turns blue, passes out or stops breathing, call 911.