Croup (cont.)
What is the treatment for croup?
Croup can be frightening for both children and parents. Therefore, comforting and reassuring the child is the first step. Breathing difficulties can develop and worsen rapidly. Close monitoring of the child is, therefore, important during the early phases of the illness.
To help the child breathe more comfortably, a cold or warm mist vaporizer or humidifier can be placed near the child. To avoid accidental burns, hot water vaporizers should be out of the reach of infants and toddlers. Also effective is having the child breathe in a bathroom steamed up with hot water from the tub or shower. When cough or stridor worsens at night, 10 or 15 minutes sitting or driving in the cool night air can also help the child breathe.
In infants and children, blockage in the nasal passages from mucus can further impair breathing. Careful instillation of saltwater nose drops (¼ teaspoon of table salt in one cup of water) into the nasal openings every few hours, followed by gentle suction using an ear bulb syringe, can be helpful in opening nasal passages.
Decongestants and cough suppressants can be helpful in relieving the congestion and hacking cough. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding most combination cough and cold medicines especially if they contain dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Several studies show that these medicines are ineffective in children. They can potentially cause side effects that could lead to more serious symptoms. Before giving any over-the-counter cold medicine to your child, it is best to consult your health-care professional. Acetaminophen (Liquiprin, Tylenol, Panadol) and ibuprofen (Liquid Motrin, Advil) are also helpful for pain relief and fever. Aspirin is avoided in the treatment of croup and other viral illnesses since aspirin is suspected as being related to the Reye's syndrome in children recovering from influenza virus infection. Reye's syndrome is a serious and mysterious illness, causing kidney, liver, and brain damage, which can lead to the rapid onset of coma. Occasionally, cortisone medications are prescribed for more severe cases of croup. Because croup is usually caused by a virus, antibiotics are reserved for those rare occasions when bacterial infections cause croup or become superimposed on the viral infection.
Even though plenty of fluids are encouraged to avoid dehydration, forcing fluids is generally unnecessary. Popsicles are a popular means of providing fluid. Activity should be restricted to quiet play during the first days of the illness.
Children with croup are most contagious during the first days of fever and illness. Infection spreads easily in a household. Other children in the family will often develop a sore throat or a cough, without necessarily developing the croupy cough and stridor seen in croup. Infants and children may return to school or day care when their temperature is normal and they feel better. A lingering cough can last another
two weeks but should not be the reason to keep them at home.
Next: What warning signs should parents look for? »
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