Croup Cough-Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

When a persistent cough takes hold, it can be both frustrating and alarming. Particularly when a cough accompanies a distinctive barking sound and a hoarse voice, it’s time to take a closer look at croup cough.

Croup in infants is a common condition. Nevertheless, it impacts older children and adults alike. Swelling in the airways causes difficulty breathing. 

In this comprehensive blog, we’ll explore the various symptoms of croup cough, delve into the underlying causes, and outline the diagnostic process for effective treatment. From home remedies to medical interventions, we’ll cover everything you must know to get back on the road to recovery and regain your full respiratory function.

What is Croup Cough?

Croup cough (croup meaning the inflammation of the trachea and larynx, linked with infection and breathing difficulties) is a viral infection of the upper airway that primarily affects children but can also occur in adults.

The hallmark symptom of croup is a loud, harsh, barking cough sound, other respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, hoarseness, and difficulty breathing are often accompanied. The cough can last several days to a couple of weeks and is often most severe at night.

The underlying cause of croup is inflammation in the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe), which leads to the narrowing of the airways. This makes it difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs, causing the characteristic symptoms of croup.

A virus, such as a parainfluenza virus, typically causes croup infection, but other respiratory viruses, such as the flu or measles, can also cause it.

Importance of Understanding Croup Cough

It is important to note that croup cough differs from other types of coughs. Therefore, don’t take croup lightly in adults and children. Seeking medical attention to receive a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment is a great way to avoid any future complications.

What Are The Symptoms of Croup Cough?

The most prominent symptom of croup cough is a loud, harsh, bark-like cough that can accompany other respiratory symptoms. The following are some of the most widely seen symptoms of croup:

• Barking Cough: The signature symptom of croup is a barking cough that sounds similar to the cough of a seal. This croup cough sound is often more apparent at night and can be quite alarming for parents and caregivers.
• Hoarseness: People with croup may experience hoarseness in their voice due to the inflammation in the larynx (voice box).
• Stridor: Stridor is a high-pitched, wheezing sound that occurs when a person breathes in. Due to the narrowed airways, people often hear this sound in croup.
• Difficulty Breathing: People with croup may experience difficulty breathing due to the narrowing of the airways. This can be especially noticeable during periods of increased physical activity or when lying down.
• Fever: Low-grade fever is often a sign that the body is fighting an infection when croup accompanies it.
• Swelling: Some people with croup may experience neck swelling, making breathing even more difficult.

Consulting Paediatric specialists is necessary if your child struggles with these distressing signs, especially if they have difficulty breathing. A healthcare provider will be able to diagnose croup and provide appropriate treatment.

What are the Causes of Croup Cough?

Usually, Viral infections cause Spasmodic croup, such as the parainfluenza virus, which infects the upper airway and leads to inflammation and swelling. A bacterial infection may cause croup cough in rare cases.

• Age: Croup is most common in children between six months and three years, but it can also occur in older children and adults.
• Respiratory Viruses: Respiratory viruses like the flu or the common cold increase the risk of developing croup in children and adults who have been exposed to them.
• Exposure to Irritants: Exposure to irritants, such as tobacco smoke or air pollution, can increase the risk of developing croup.
• Family History: Children with a history of croup or other respiratory conditions, such as asthma, are at increased risk of developing croup.
• Season: Croup is more common in the fall and winter months when respiratory viruses are more prevalent.

How do doctors diagnose croup cough?

Doctors may use the following diagnostic tests to diagnose croup cough:

• Physical Examination: A healthcare provider will perform a physical examination, including listening to the patient’s breathing and examining the neck for swelling. The presence of a loud, harsh, bark-like cough and stridor are strong indicators of croup. A doctor can rightly diagnose this condition after evaluating these signs of croup in newborns and adults.
• Medical History: The healthcare provider will take a thorough medical history, including asking about symptoms and exposure to respiratory viruses.
• Chest X-ray: Doctors may order a chest x-ray in some cases to rule out other respiratory conditions such as pneumonia.
• Laryngoscopy: This procedure involves examining the larynx (voice box) with a scope to look for signs of swelling and inflammation.
• Blood Tests: Doctors may order blood tests in adults to rule out other causes of croup symptoms, such as a bacterial infection.

After the physical examination, medical history, and diagnostic tests, the healthcare provider will diagnose croup and recommend the appropriate croup cough treatment. In some cases, doctors may refer a patient to a specialist for further evaluation and treatment.

The treatment for croup depends on the severity of the symptoms and can range from home remedies to medications and hospitalisation. Doctors treat croup cough through the following methods:

1. Home remedies for croup: In mild cases of croup, home remedies can help to relieve symptoms. These include using a cool mist humidifier for croup or having the child breathe in warm, moist air. Keeping the child hydrated and using over-the-counter cough medicine can also be helpful.
2. Nebuliser treatment:

   A machine called a nebulizer converts medication into a fine mist that can be inhaled. Inhaled medications, such as racemic epinephrine, can help to open up the airways and relieve symptoms of croup.

3. Steroids: Steroids reduce inflammation and swelling in the airways, which can help relieve croup symptoms. When given early in the course of the illness, doctors can administer steroids orally or by inhalation, and they are most effective.
4. Hospitalisation: In severe cases, home-based croup remedies are not enough. Thus, hospitalisation may be necessary for observation and treatment. This may involve oxygen therapy, continuous nebuliser treatment, and intravenous fluids.

Croup management and treatment are crucial, especially if the patient has difficulty breathing. It is paramount to seek medical attention if you or your kid are experiencing symptoms of croup. A chest specialist doctor can diagnose croup and provide appropriate treatment. With proper treatment, most cases of croup will resolve within a week.

As the wise say: prevention is better than cure. It holds true for barking cough treatment as well! Taking steps to reduce the risk of exposure to respiratory viruses can help prevent croup cough, which is caused by a viral infection.:

• Wash Hands Regularly: Washing hands regularly with soap and water for a minimum of 10-20 seconds is one of the most effective ways to control the spread of respiratory viruses, including the ones that cause croup.
• Avoid Close Contact with Sick People: Avoiding close contact with people who are sick, especially those with symptoms of a respiratory illness, can reduce the risk of exposure to respiratory viruses.
• Get Vaccinated: Getting vaccinated against the flu and other respiratory viruses can help prevent croup and other respiratory infections.
• Reduce Exposure to Irritants: Reducing exposure to irritants, such as air pollution and tobacco smoke, can reduce the risk of developing croup.
• Manage Underlying Medical Conditions: Patients with underlying medical conditions, such as croup and asthma, are at increased risk of developing croup. Managing these conditions and following the treatment plan can help to reduce the risk of croup.

You can help to reduce the risk of developing croup and other respiratory infections.

The Bottom Line

Now you know what to do with that croup cough. A bark-like cough, hoarse voice, and stridor characterise this highly common respiratory illness.

To prevent barking cough in adults and children, it is vital to reduce the risk of exposure to respiratory viruses, such as washing hands regularly, avoiding close contact with sick people.

Ideally, croup treatment must be sought under an experienced doctor. We know that you want the best pulmonologist to treat such chest-related conditions. That’s what we at Amandeep Hospital aim to offer!

Amandeep Group of Hospitals has the best ENT specialist in Amritsar, Jammu & Pathankot. Our experienced healthcare providers can diagnose and treat various respiratory problems, including croup cough.

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