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This viral infection affects about 15% of children between 6 months and 5 years old and grows on average more in boys than girls.
What are the symptoms of croup?
Linked to a upper airway infection, most often at para-influenza virus which causes colds and flu, croup triggers a hoarse cough, called barking, a hoarse voice, sometimes a difficulty breathing, a runny nose, even a fever. Anything that will make your child’s breathing faster, such as crying or fussing, will make the symptoms worse for a while. Rest assured though, while croup can be impressive, it’s usually easy to heal.
Croup most often contracts in autumn or winter, and is spread by coughing or sneezing. Barrier measures against Covid-19 are therefore very useful in the fight against croup, as for all winter viruses.
What is a hoarse or barking cough?
We qualify as hoarse cough a dry cough, which produces a sound similar to that of the cry of a seal or the barking of a small dog … hence the term “barking cough”! ” This cough and this voice are really characteristic, we immediately recognize these symptoms, so the diagnosis is simple and quick, which is rather reassuring for parents! », Says Dr Jonathan Rozental, pediatrician at the Wagram medical center (Paris XVII) specializing in the care of children.
Croup, false croup, laryngotracheitis, laryngitis: what is it?
« We rarely use the term croup today, which is relatively dated. », Indicates the pediatrician. In practice, croup, faux croup, laryngotracheitis or laryngitis are similar viral infections, it all depends on the precise area of upper airway infection! We also usually talk more about laryngitis from the age of five. Whatever the name, these pathologies are very similar.
How to treat false croup in children?
Symptoms of croup are caused by swelling of the trachea and / or larynx, which is infected with a virus. These ailments are often more marked in children in the evening and at night. On average, the symptoms go away on their own in three to five days. It may be helpful to use a little ibuprofen to reduce your child’s fever, or to clean his nasal congestion with a bulb syringe.
If the symptoms persist or worsen, it is recommended to consult your pediatrician as soon as possible. From antipyretics to reduce fever and corticosteroids to reduce inflammation trachea may be prescribed for your infant or child. Antibiotics are unnecessary. Furthermore, a humidifier seems to relieve most often the small patients, in particular when this one is installed in the room, during the night.
Some children may develop difficulty swallowing or a chest wall depression (chest muscles seem to be sucked in). In that case, hospitalization may be needed in order to relieve inflammation of the upper airways. ” In the majority of cases, acute laryngitis is very well tolerated, although the symptoms are impressive for the parents. », Reassures Doctor Rozental.
Is False Croup Contagious?
Like any virus similar to the common cold or the flu, croup is contagious. He is especially the first days of infection. We therefore take the necessary precautions to protect the rest of the family, and we keep the child at home if he is in school.