UK Health Radio – Medical News Update on the Hour – Gracie on Croup
UK Health Radio – Medical News Update on the Hour
Croup
Croup is an illness that children get and that affects the windpipe, the airways to the lungs and the voice box.
Children with croup have a barking cough and will make a nasty sound when they breathe in. They also might have a hoarse voice and find it hard to breathe because their airway is blocked.
Normally, croup is caused by a virus. Several viruses can cause croup but in most cases it is the parainfluenza virus.
Croup normanly affects children aged 6 months- 3 years. However, croup can sometimes affect babies as young as 3 months and older children up to 15 years of age.
It affects more boys than girls. A child might get croup more than once in childhood.
Most cases of croup are small and can be treated at home. Sit your child up and stop them crying because crying can make symptoms worse. Your child should also drink plenty to stop getting dehydrated.
Croup is spread in a similar way to the common cold, so it is hard to prevent.
Good hygiene is the main defence against croup, such as regularly washing hands and cleaning surfaces.
Gracie Timms
UK Health Radio – Medical News Update on the Hour
