croup
Sign in to saveCroup ( ), also known as croupy cough, is a type of respiratory infection that is usually caused by a virus. The infection leads to swelling inside the trachea, which interferes with normal breathing and produces the classic symptoms of "barking/brassy" cough, inspiratory stridor, and a hoarse voice. Fever and runny nose may also be present. These symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe. It often starts or is worse at night and normally lasts one to two days.
AI overview
Croup is a viral respiratory infection that causes swelling in the windpipe, leading to a distinctive barking cough, noisy breathing, and hoarse voice, sometimes accompanied by fever and a runny nose. While symptoms can range from mild to severe and often worsen at night, the condition typically resolves within one to two days.
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Key facts
- Medical condition.name
- Croup
- Medical condition.synonyms
- Croupy cough, subglottic laryngitis, obstructive laryngitis, laryngotracheobronchitis
- Medical condition.image
- Croup steeple sign.jpg
- Medical condition.caption
- The steeple sign as seen on an AP neck X-ray of a child with croup
- Medical condition.field
- Pediatrics
- Medical condition.symptoms
- "Barky" cough, stridor, fever, stuffy nose
- Medical condition.duration
- Usually 1–2 days but can last up to 7 days
- Medical condition.causes
- Mostly viral
- Medical condition.diagnosis
- Based on symptoms
- Medical condition.differential
- Epiglottitis, airway foreign body, bacterial tracheitis
- Medical condition.prevention
- Influenza and diphtheria vaccination
Article
19 sectionsContents
- Signs and symptoms
- Causes
- Viral
- Bacteria and cocci
- Pathophysiology
- Diagnosis
- Severity
- Prevention
- Treatment
- Supportive care
- Steroids
- Epinephrine
- Oxygen
- Other
- Prognosis
- Epidemiology
- History
- References
- External links
Croup ( ), also known as croupy cough, is a type of respiratory infection that is usually caused by a virus. The infection leads to swelling inside the trachea, which interferes with normal breathing and produces the classic symptoms of "barking/brassy" cough, inspiratory stridor, and a hoarse voice. Fever and runny nose may also be present. These symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe. It often starts or is worse at night and normally lasts one to two days.
Croup can be caused by a number of viruses including parainfluenza and influenza virus. Rarely is it due to a bacterial infection. Croup is typically diagnosed based on signs and symptoms after potentially more severe causes, such as epiglottitis or an airway foreign body, have been ruled out. Further investigations, such as blood tests, X-rays and cultures, are usually not needed.