Croup:

Croup is a viral infection that causes swelling or inflammation of the voice box. It is characterized by noisy breathing, a hoarse voice, and a cough that sounds like a seal bark. The symptoms typically worsen at night, and improve during the day. Croup usually lasts 4 to 7 days. However, it can linger for 10 days or more.

Treatment:

• Encourage your child to drink lots of fluids.
• Allow your child to be as active as he or she feels like.
• At night, run a humidifier (a cool-mist vaporizer) to keep the air from being too dry. Your child may also feel more at ease if you elevate the head of bed.
• If your child has a bad coughing fit during the night, take him or her into the bathroom. Close the door, and turn on the shower, generating steam in the room. The warm moist air will help to calm and soothe the throat, and alleviate the coughing. After 15 to 20 minutes, children often feel much better and stop coughing.
• In cool weather, the cool dry air outdoors can also alleviate coughing. Wrap your child in a blanket, to keep him or her warm, and stand outside for 15 to 20 minutes.
• If your child has a fever, give acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help control fever.

Call your physician's office immediately:

• If your child becomes lethargic, refuses to swallow, begins drooling, or has progressive difficulty with breathing despite trying the above suggestions.

Call your physician's office during normal office hours if you have any other questions.