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Croup. Amina Dasin Laura Herrera Jennafer McCoy Quang Truong. What is Croup?. Croup is a common respiratory illness in children that causes a change in breathing with a hoarse voice and a brassy, barking cough.
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Croup AminaDasin Laura Herrera Jennafer McCoy Quang Truong
What is Croup? • Croup is a common respiratory illness in children that causes a change in breathing with a hoarse voice and a brassy, barking cough. • Also known as croup laryngotracheitis because it usually involves inflammation of the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe).
There are Two Kinds of Croup… • Spasmodic Croup • Infectious Croup
Spasmodic Croup • Spasmodic refers to a type of croup that develops quickly and may happen in a child with a mild cold. • Spasmodic also has a tendency to reoccur in the future
Infectious Croup • Infectious croup is caused by a viral infection • The most common viruses that causes croup are the flu, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) , and adenoviruses.
Whose at Risk? Most at risk of getting croup are children between 6 months and 3 years of age. The peak incidence of the condition is 18 to 24 months of age.
Causes • Viral infection (most common) • Bacterial infection • Allergies • Breathing in something that irritates your airway • Acid reflux • Usually occurs a few days after the start of a cold
Signs & Symptoms • Acough that sounds like a seal barking • As the cough gets more frequent, the child may have labored breathing or stridor. • Cough worse at night • Lasts 5 or 6 nights, but the first night or two are usually the most severe.
How is Croup diagnosed? • Based on patient’s description of the cough • The physician actually listening to the patient cough • Occasionally, X-Rays may be needed • Physical examination may show chest retractions with breathing. • Listening to the chest through a stethoscope may reveal prolonged inspiration or expiration, wheezing, and decreased breath sounds.
How is Croup Treated? • Can often be treated at homewith a vaporizer • Acetaminophen may be used to lower fever and reduce pain. • Your child's doctor may prescribe a type of steroid called (glucocorticord). • For severe Croup, your child may be placed in the hospital where they may also have a breathing tube put in place.
Prevention • Take the same precautions as you would to prevent the cold or flu. • Frequent hand-washing. • Coughing away from others and into your elbow or tissue.
Prognosis • Viral croup usually goes away in 3 to 7 days. • The outlook for bacterial croup is good with prompt treatment. • If an airway obstruction is not treated promptly, respiratory distress (severe difficulty breathing) and respiratory arrest can occur.
Sources • http://www.drugs.com/health-guide/croup.html • http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/lung/croup.html • http://www.medicinenet.com/croup/article.htm • http://children.webmd.com/tc/croup-topic-overview • http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/pages/Croup.aspx?nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token