Croup

It is a viral infection of the vocal cords, voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea). It is usually part of a cold. Swelling of the vocal cords cause hoarseness. All children with croup have a tight, low-pitched "barking" cough.

Stridor occurs as the opening between the vocal cords becomes narrower. Stridor is a harsh, raspy, vibrating sound when the child breathes, and is usually present only with crying or coughing. As the disease becomes worse, stridor also occurs when he is sleeping or relax.

This normally lasts for 5-6 days and generally gets worse @ night. The symptoms are usually worse in children under 3 years of age.

Medication such as "Dexamethasone", a steriod, which helps to reduce the swelling of the windpipe and vocal cords, thus relieving breathing difficulties maybe be prescribed by a doctor.

Warm clear fluid may be given to help relax the vocal cords and loosen up the mucus. Avoid anyone smoking around the child as smoke can make the croup worse.

Consult the doctor should the croup lasts for more than a week, breathing becomes difficult or if stridor returns when child is at rest, poor feeding, lethargic or child appears pale or blue.