“Sick Season” is here and In the last month we have seen A LOT of kids with Croup! Here is a quick overview so you can feel confident and prepared if Croup hits your home this winter.
What is Croup?: A highly contagious and common viral respiratory infection that causes swelling of your child’s voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea). The swelling causes the airway to narrow which leads to difficulty breathing. Croup typically affects children 3 years old and younger.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Barking cough
- Stridor: A high pitched sound heard when your child breathes in.
- Loss of voice or hoarseness
- Breathing that sounds raspy
- Typically worsens at night
At Home Remedies:
- Use a cold mist humidifier
- Take your child outside into cool night air or open a window.
- Sit with your child in a bathroom filled with steam from running a hot shower.
- Encourage increased fluid intake
- Keeping your child calm will help make it easier for them to breathe.
When to be seen: Call our office if your child has; difficulty breathing, retractions (sucking in of the skin around your child’s ribs and and the top of their breastbone), blue-tinged lips, high pitched whistling sound while breathing (stridor). At night if your child has these symptoms go to the Emergency Department. If you are unsure call our office after hours line at #435-865-0218 to speak with a trained medical professional.
In Office Treatment: If your child is diagnosed with Croup our office is equipped with breathing treatments/nebulizer treatments and injectable or oral steroids. These medications will help lessen the swelling and open up your child’s airways ensuring less difficulty while breathing and aiding in a quick and safe recovery.
For more information about Croup visit;
