Croup is a dreadful-sounding respiratory illness. If you’re a parent, chances are your child has experienced it before, as this respiratory infection is common among young children.

While the cough that accompanies croup is not for the faint of heart, it is usually easy to cure and isn’t typically a cause for serious concern. Read on for more information on croup from our AFC Urgent Care Centennial team.

What Is Croup?

Croup is a respiratory infection typically caused by the parainfluenza virus. It causes swelling of the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe), resulting in noisy, difficult breathing and a loud, “barking” cough.

Croup is most common in children between the ages of 3 months and 5 years. Croup becomes less prevalent as children get older, since the windpipe expands and swelling becomes less likely to obstruct breathing. We’ve listed the most common symptoms of croup below.

Common Croup Symptoms

• A runny, stuffy nose
• A cough that turns into a “seal’s bark”
• Laryngitis
• Fever
• A whistling sound when breathing, which is often referred to as “stridor”

Is Croup a Treatable Illness?

Croup is a very treatable illness! Croup may be treated in the comfort of your own home in the majority of instances, and it usually goes away in three to five days.

When your kid develops croup symptoms, one of the most important things you can do is to keep him or her calm and comfortable, as crying and agitation can exacerbate airway obstruction. We’ve listed more helpful things you can do for your child below.

Ways to Treat Croup at Home

• Hold your child in a comfortable upright position. Sitting upright may make breathing easier.
• Make sure your child is staying hydrated. Water can work to flush out all types of infections, including croup.
• Encourage rest. Sleep can help your child fight the infection.
• Try a fever reducer. If your child has a fever, OTC medications like acetaminophen can help.
• Skip the cold medications. OTC cold medicines aren’t recommended for children of any age, and they can be harmful in children less than 2 years of age. Plus, they won’t help croup.

Our AFC Urgent Care Centennial team is here for you and your family! Don’t hesitate to visit us today.