What Is Croup?

Posted on Mon, 30 Jun 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 30 Jun 2014 Answered on

Wed, 16 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My 2 year old granddaughter is in the ER. She was having trouble breathing. The doctor think it is croup? What is that? Can her big brother or mommy or daddy catch it? will she be alright? what is the treatment?

Answered by Dr. Arun (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
croup is viral infection of upper respiratory trac

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing to health care magic.

Croup is viral infection of upper respiratory tract. It causes swelling in the breathing passage resulting in noisy breathing and sometimes obstructed breathing. It usually responds to steroids and nebulisations with adrenaline.

The child needs to remain calm and humidified oxygen with or without helium will help.
Don't worry. It will settle in 24 to 72 hours.

Usually adults may not get it as severe as in kids; because the airway is bigger in adult. However I do advice the elderly people to avoid close contact with the kid.

Wishing your kid speedy recovery.

Regards
Dr Arun

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad