The Cause:

• Croup is a viral upper respiratory infection, so antibiotics are not effective
• The most common cause is Human Parainfluenze Virus, which is different from influenza (the flu)
• The virus causes swelling around the vocal cords, leading to:
  • A hoarse voice
  • A distinctive “barky” cough (often compared to a seal)
• Swelling can extend into the trachea (windpipe), narrowing the airway
• Narrowed airways may cause stridor—a high-pitched sound when breathing in
• Young children are more affected because their airways are smaller, so even mild swelling can restrict airflow

Symptoms:

• Barky, hoarse cough
• Stridor (especially when breathing in)
• Fever
• Other common viral symptoms:
  • Nasal congestion
  • Body aches
  • Decreased appetite
  • Reduced activity
• Symptoms typically:
  • Are worse at night and better (if not completely gone) during the day
  • Last about one week
  • Peak around days 3-4, then gradually improve
• Call us if there is:
  • Fever lasting more than a couple of days
  • Moderate to severe cough
  • Any stridor
  • Difficult or labored breathing

Treatment:

• Supportive care is the foundation of treatment:
  • Rest
  • Plenty of fluids
  • Fever reducers as needed
  • Steroid treatment

Prognosis and Prevention:

• Most children recover fully within a few days
• However, symptoms can worsen quickly in children with stridor or breathing difficulty
• Seek urgent care if:
  • Your child struggles to breathe
• Other serious causes of stridor (such as airway infections or foreign body aspiration)
• Prevention is challenging because the viruses are common, especially in fall and winter
• Helpful prevention strategies:
  • Avoid close contact with sick children
  • Encourage frequent hand washing
  • Keep children home when ill to reduce spread