Croup

A number of breathing conditions can affect very young children. One is croup.

Croup is a viral infection of mainly pre-school children commonly occurring during autumn and winter. Antibiotics do not have any effect. The infection causes swelling and inflammation of the voice box. The child's voice may be husky or croaky, and they may have a 'barking' cough. Symptoms last for about 5-7 days.

Allergic croup is often associated with allergic diseases such as hayfever, eczema and asthma. It is less common than the usual viral croup, and the episodes may be frequent, sudden and not preceded by a cold. This can be severe but is usually of a short duration.

If the child is breathing freely, drinking well and not distressed, no treatment is needed. (Steam treatment does not help croup symptoms.) However if stridor is present then the child should see a doctor. Stridor is the name given to the sighing/ groaning sound that can be heard when the child is breathing in through the swollen, narrow voice box. This causes the flesh around the neck and upper chest to be visibly drawn in.