The condition of croup causes swelling in the area around the vocal chords. This can cause a wheezing sound and other symptoms. It is caused by an upper airway infection, most commonly a virus called parainfluenza. This virus can be spread by tiny drops of moisture in air. If a child touches a surface where someone has coughed and then touches their face, the virus can spread.
In most cases this condition can be treated at your home, and it will self-limit. It is more common among young children, and it can be frightening to watch. It is most common in children aged between 6 months to 3 years.
Some croup cases can lead to symptoms that are more severe, such as difficulty breathing or signs of a more serious condition.
This post will cover some of the common symptoms you should be aware of. This will allow you to distinguish between croup, other serious conditions and when you should see a doctor.
1. Coughing
The cough is the most common symptom. The condition is often called “croup” cough. This is caused by swelling of the vocal chords and narrowing of airways. The result is a dry, harsh and raspy sounding cough, which is called stridor.
Croup is diagnosed more often in children younger than three because they have smaller vocal cords and airpipes. It is because of this that they have smaller vocal cords and airpipes.
The cough is usually not the first symptom that you notice. The cough usually appears about 3 days after the illness has started. The cough will last between 4-7 days.
