PEDIATRICS
Croup: Symptoms, Treatments, & When to Worry
April 23, 2020
Symptom Guides > Pediatrics > Croup: Symptoms, Treatments, & When to Worry

by
Dr. Howard Jeffries
A pediatric cardiac intensivist at Seattle Children's Hospital, Dr. Jeffries is also Senior Medical Director, Regional Network. He completed a residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in pediatric intensive care. He has published chapters and peer-reviewed articles, with an emphasis on cardiac intensive care, informatics, outcomes assessment and quality improvement.
Known for its trademark barking cough, croup occurs when a person’s upper airways swell and is typically caused by a virus, although it can also be caused by allergies or stomach reflux. Croup is most commonly associated with a loud, barking cough that sounds like a seal, croup can also cause other symptoms.
Since croup is most frequently caused by a viral infection, it can also be accompanied by a fever, fatigue, and general malaise. Some cases of croup also lead to difficulty breathing or breathing with a whistling sound, which is known as stridor. In situations in which one develops difficulty breathing from croup, it’s always important to seek immediate medical care.
In most cases, croup resolves on its own within five days, and is generally not serious. However, some people experience more persistent or recurrent cases of croup. While croup is more common in babies and young children, adults can also experience croup and its potential complications.
In this article, I’ll explain:
“Most cases of mild croup resolve on their own within 3-5 days. Since most cases of croup are viral, your doctor will likely encourage you to treat symptoms.”
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by
Dr. Howard Jeffries
A pediatric cardiac intensivist at Seattle Children's Hospital, Dr. Jeffries is also Senior Medical Director, Regional Network. He completed a residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in pediatric intensive care. He has published chapters and peer-reviewed articles, with an emphasis on cardiac intensive care, informatics, outcomes assessment and quality improvement.
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