Croup, also known as laryngotracheobronchitis, is an infectious disease, more frequent in children between 1 and 6 years of age, caused by a virus that reaches the upper and lower airways and leads to symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, hoarseness and strong cough.
The transmission of the croup occurs through the inhalation of saliva droplets and respiratory secretions that are suspended in the air, in addition to also being able to happen through the contact with contaminated objects. It is important that the child with symptoms of croup go to the pediatrician to make the diagnosis of the disease and start the appropriate treatment quickly.
Croup symptoms
The initial symptoms of the croup are similar to those of the flu or a cold, in which the child has a runny nose, cough and low fever. As the disease progresses, typical symptoms of viral croup appear, such as:
- Difficulty breathing, especially inhaling; "Dog cough"; Hoarseness; Wheezing when breathing.
Dog cough is very characteristic of the disease and can decrease or disappear during the day, but worsen at night. Generally, the symptoms of the disease get worse at night and can last for 3 to 7 days. Often, other complications can arise, such as increased heart and respiratory rate, pain in the sternum and diaphragm, in addition to 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 the treatment can be started and the complications of the disease avoided.
Causes of croup
Croup is an infectious disease caused mainly by viruses, such as the Influenzae influenza virus, which is possible through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects and by inhaling droplets of saliva released from sneezing or coughing.
In other cases, the croup can be caused by bacteria, being called tracheitis, which is caused mainly by bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus and Streptococcus . Understand what tracheitis is and what the symptoms are.
The diagnosis of croup is made by the doctor through observation and analysis of symptoms and cough, but an image exam, such as X-ray, may also be requested to confirm the diagnosis and exclude the possibility of other diseases.
How the treatment is done
Treatment of the croup is usually started in the pediatric emergency and can be continued at home, according to the pediatrician's indication. It is important to drink plenty of fluids to improve hydration and leave your child in a comfortable position so that he can rest. In addition, inhalation of cold, moist air, or nebulization with serum and medications, is very important to help moisten the airways and facilitate breathing, used depending on how the child's breathing is presented.
Some medications, such as corticosteroids or epinephrine, can be used to decrease inflammation of the airways and improve discomfort when breathing, and paracetamol can be taken to decrease fever. Medications should not be taken to reduce coughing unless the doctor tells you to. Antibiotics are only recommended by the doctor when the croup is caused by bacteria or when the child has any chance of developing bacterial infection.
When Croup does not improve after 14 days or there is worsening of symptoms, the child's hospitalization may be necessary to provide oxygen and other more effective drugs to treat the infection.
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