What to Know Before Seeing Your Pediatrician by Peter Jung

Author:Peter Jung
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hatherleigh Press
Published: 2017-02-09T05:00:00+00:00

CROUP/LARYNGITIS

If the cold virus invades the vocal cords or windpipe (trachea), the result is croup. Croup is characterized by a loud, barky cough. Although croup can look and sound quite dangerous, it rarely is.

Croup will often produce a stridor breathing sound in the child which mimics wheezing. Stridor is a high-pitched, musical breathing noise heard with inspiration of the lungs, whereas wheezing is more of a whistling sound heard with expiration of the lungs. If wheezing is present, it indicates involvement of the lungs, which is more concerning and should be reported to the doctor.

Croup can be treated with oral steroids at the doctor’s office to help decrease the inflammation in the vocal cords and windpipe. Home remedies include giving the child a 15-minute steam bath, or stepping outside with the child for a short walk. Most kids quickly improve from croup, with minimal intervention being needed.

Another symptom of the vocal cords being invaded is laryngitis, which is characterized by a loss of voice. Laryngitis will resolve in time and requires little intervention other than resting the vocal cords.

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