by Angela La Fon

Created on: May 03, 2011   Last Updated: May 06, 2011

What are the symptoms of croup?  A child with the croup may first present symptoms such as a runny nose and congestion that appear to be a common cold or upper respiratory infection.  These preliminary symptoms usually last one or two days.  The croup symptoms that follow will usually begin on the second day and may last up to five days. The symptoms of croup may be misleading as a child with the croup may not appear to be very sick.  In fact, they may be active and alert and may not even run a fever. 

Symptoms of the Croup from WedMd:

-A child with the croup may have no fever or a slight fever.

-A child with the croup will have a loud bark-like cough.

-A child with the croup will have a hoarse and raspy voice. 

-A child with the croup may make high-pitched wheezing sounds when breathing in - doctor’s call this “stridor.”

-A child with the croup may have trouble breathing.

Children with mild to moderate croup may sound horrible making their condition appear more serious than it is but WedMd advises that if your child has severe trouble breathing, you should contact emergency services or call 911.

Who is affected by the croup?

According to WebMd, the croup is a respiratory illness most common in children ages six months to three years of age and can be recurring through age five or six.

What causes the croup?

WebMd explains that the croup is usually caused by a virus.  This virus affects the throat and upper airways but not the lungs.  The virus may cause swelling in the trachea, also called the windpipe. 

Understanding the Croup:  What is HIVP?

If your child is diagnosed with a HIVP this stands for human parainfluenza viruses.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, HPIVs are “common causes of respiratory tract disease in infants and young children.” There are four types of HPIVs and it is the HPIV1 and HPIV2 that present the clinical features of croup with the swelling of the vocal chords and parts of the upper and middle airway. On the other hand, HPIV3 usually presents as bronchiolitis with swelling of the small airways leading to the lungs.  HPIV4 is seen less often and is less likely to cause severe symptoms. 

How can croup or the spread of croup be prevented?

According to the CDC, there is currently no vaccine for HPIVs. Infants may benefit from antibodies from the mother delivered through breastfeeding.  Since the virus that causes the croup is spread through secretions, preventative measures such as hand washing and not sharing cups or utensils is recommended.

How can the symptoms of the croup be treated? 

Since the croup comes from a virus antibiotics are not effective or recommended. 

"Antibiotics don't work for viral infections," Kathi J. Kemper, MD, professor of pediatrics at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., tells WebMD.

A trip outside into the cool air may be actually be helpful. 

"So many parents think the child is about to die of croup and by the time they get to the ER, the time in the cold air and in the car have resolved it and the child is jumping around," Richard P. Walls, MD, a pediatrician in private practice in La Jolla, Calif., tells WebMD.

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