Croup is a childhood viral infection marked by a hoarse voice and a bark-like cough. The infection originates in a child’s vocal cords. As croup becomes more severe, a harsher, raspier breathing sound, called “stridor,” is produced. Croup is most commonly found in children between the ages of six months and three years.
Croup is caused by swelling or infection of the upper airway due to a virus that can be found in the air around children with the infection. In other cases, croup may be caused by allergies or foreign objects n the airway.
Swelling in the upper airway causes the cough and stridor associated with croup. As breathing becomes more forced, the child must exert more physical effort. The child will get more and more tired but will be unable to sleep due to the coughing. When the child strains to breathe, his nasal openings will widen, he will over exert his neck and chest muscles, and he will be unwilling to eat, drink, or lie down.
