Croup Virus

Reporter Britney Glaser “Croup is a condition that leads to the inflammation of the upper airways. It often has a distinctive barking cough noise.”

Dr. Robert Anderson, an emergency medicine doctor told us “Croup can have the typical flu, upper respiratory symptoms, the runny nose, cough, maybe they complain of a sore throat and then all of a sudden, they start with the barking cough.”

Doctor Robert Anderson says besides the coughing and runny nose, the child might also run a fever.

He says croup is contagious and spreads like the common cold.

Dr. Robert Anderson, emergency medicine doctor told us, “One person may get more symptoms and the next one may just have more cold like symptoms.”

Reporter Britney Glaser told us, “Viruses are what lead to most cases of croup.”

Dr. Robert Anderson, emergency medicine doctor, “It’s usually influenza or Para influenza. It’s very rarely bacterial, so most of the time, antibiotics don’t help.”

When treating your child for croup, it’s important to keep him or her calm.

Crying can worsen the coughing.

A cool mist humidifier can also help open the breathing passages.

Steroids are prescribed to help with the inflammation.

Dr. Robert Anderson, emergency medicine doctor tells us that, “The main problem is the inflammatory process that’s going on around the vocal cords and trachea. The steroids are potent anti-inflammatory medications. It just decreases the swelling around there. The child’s going to be amped up a little bit, but they’ll be breathing a whole lot more comfortably.”