Croup, also known as laryngotracheobronchitis, is an infectious disease, most common in children 1 to 6 years old, caused by a virus that reaches the upper and lower respiratory tracts and causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, hoarseness, and a strong cough.
Croup transmission occurs by inhaling saliva droplets and airborne respiratory secretions, and it can also occur by contact with contaminated objects. It is important that the child with symptoms of croup see a pediatrician to diagnose the disease and start treatment quickly.
- The first symptoms of croup are similar to those of the flu or a cold.
- In which the child has a runny nose.
- Cough.
- And a low fever.
- As the disease progresses.
- Typical symptoms of viral croup appear.
- Such as:.
Dog cough is very characteristic of the disease and can decrease or disappear during the day, but worse at night. Symptoms of the disease are usually worse at night and can last 3 to 7 days. Often, other complications can arise, such as increased heart and breathing rates, pain in the sternum and diaphragm, as well as bluish lips and fingertips, due to poor oxygenation. Therefore, as soon as the symptoms of croup appear, it is important to go to the pediatrician so that treatment can begin and complications of the disease are avoided.
Croup is an infectious disease caused mainly by viruses, such as the influenza virus, Influenzae, which can be transmitted by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects and by inhaling droplets of saliva released by sneezing or coughing.
In other cases, croup can be caused by bacteria called tracheitis, which is mainly caused by bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. Understand what tracheitis is and what its symptoms are.
The diagnosis of croup is made by the doctor by observing and analyzing the symptoms and cough, but an imaging test, such as an X-ray, may also be ordered to confirm the diagnosis and rule out the hypothesis of croup. ‘other diseases.
Croup treatment generally begins in the pediatric emergency and can be continued at home, as indicated by the pediatrician. It is important to drink plenty of fluids to improve hydration and to leave your child in a comfortable position to rest. Also, breathing in cool, humid air or nebulizing it with serum and medications is very important to help moisten the airways and facilitate breathing, depending on how the child is breathing.
Certain medications, such as corticosteroids or epinephrine, can be used to decrease inflammation in the airways and improve discomfort when breathing, and acetaminophen can be taken to lower fever. Medicine to reduce cough should not be taken unless your doctor recommends this type of medicine. The doctor only recommends antibiotics when the croup is caused by bacteria or when the child is at risk of developing a bacterial infection.
When the croup does not improve after 14 days or if symptoms worsen, the child may need to be hospitalized to provide oxygen and other medications that are more effective in treating the infection. .
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