Croup Laryngotracheobronchitis

How can I help my child feel better?

Croup Laryngotracheobronchitis
Croup comes in three forms and affects many children throughout the year. The cause of croup is from the narrowing of the airways below the vocal cords from the inflammation of the larynx and trachea. This can be triggered by allergies or viral infections. Most often, cases of croup develop in the fall and early winter. Croup can be transmitted to other people through direct contact and contaminated secretions.

Spasmadic croup is sudden and generally comes in the middle of the night. Your child may gasp for breath, become hoarse, have a bark-like cough and generally has no fever. There is usually repeated episodes for the next two or three nights. Laryngotracheitis develops gradually and cold symptoms turn into hoarseness, bark-like coughs, noisy, labored breathing and there may be a fever. Laryngotracheobronchitis is very similar to laryngotracheitis, except the onset is more variable and fever can get as high as 104 degrees. If your child is suffering from laryngotracheobronchitis, he will generally look sick.

You can help your child feel better by humidfying your child's sleeping space, giving him steam inhalation treatments, taking him out into the cool night air for about 15 minutes and most importantly, comfort to decrease crying. Crying can actually make the croup worse. In rare cases, medical treatment to open the airways and brief hospitalization is necessary. Give your child extra fluids, especially warm ones-spups, broths, warm teas or warm juices.

If this is your child's first attack of croup, call your doctor immediately. If this is a repeat case, follow the same isntructions that your doctor previously gave you. If your child's cough does not get better with the steam inhalation or if she is lacking color, seems lethargic, refuses to eat or drink or has difficulty catching her breath, call the doctor immediately. If you can not reach your doctor or symptoms worsen, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.



Comments: Croup Laryngotracheobronchitis

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limeice02 - 1614 days ago.
my daughter just got daigonised with croup...n its heart breaking to see her cough like that...poor thing i really hope she gets well soon...my poor darling...

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