Dr. Mercola: Croup: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Croup: Be Concerned if This Cough Bothers Someone You Know

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    Croup is mainly characterized by an infection of the child’s larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe), which are the upper and lower parts of the breathing tube connecting the mouth to the top of the lungs
    Croup is highly contagious. It can spread from one person to another, usually between an infected child to another child or adult
    Learn how to help relieve croup in a child safely and naturally, plus ideal ways to prevent this condition

As parents or guardians, taking precautions and making sure your child remains healthy and pain-free throughout his or her growing years is of utmost importance. Unfortunately, there are still diseases that children may acquire that cause them pain, despite increased efforts.

Croup is an example of this type of illness. It’s mainly characterized by an infection of the child’s larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe), which are the upper and lower parts of the breathing tube connecting the mouth to the top of the lungs.1 Once these areas are heavily affected, it can cause obstructed breathing, a distinct barking cough and stridor, a high-pitched whistling sound when breathing.2

Even worse, croup is highly contagious. It can spread from one person to another, usually between an infected child to another child or adult, by:3

• Physical contact

• Inhaling mucus droplets in the air that were expelled by an infected person during sneezing or coughing

• Indirect contact with items like toys, utensils, cups and other objects with traces of contaminated mucus
Croup in Numbers: How Common Is This Disease?

Croup is common among infants and toddlers who are 6 months to 3 years old. Most croup cases occur in 1-year-old children. However, babies as young as 3 months old can develop croup, too. The same goes for older children up to 15 years old and adults (albeit rare).4

Annually, croup shows up in 3 percent of children, and these croup infections are almost always caused by a virus. Seventy-five percent of croup infections are initiated by the parainfluenza virus,5 although other agents like measles, rhinovirus, influenza, enteroviruses and respiratory syncytial virus can trigger this disease.6

The majority of croup infections can be treated at home,7 but there is a 1.5 to 31 percent risk that an infected child will be hospitalized, depending on the severity of the disease.8
Read These Articles to Know What You Should Do to Avoid Croup

Your children deserves nothing less than the best when it comes to receiving the protection they need against diseases. If you’re a parent or guardian, take some time to read these Croup pages. These informative articles will provide you must-know knowledge about this common disease, particularly about its symptoms, transmission methods, causes and types.

You will also learn how to help relieve croup in a child safely and naturally (given that most physicians prescribe pharmaceutical drugs that can be harmful to children), plus ideal ways to prevent this condition in the first place.

MORE ABOUT CROUP

Croup: Introduction
   

What Is Croup?
   

Is Croup Contagious?

Croup in Adults
   

Croup Symptoms
   

Croup Causes

Types of Croup
   

Croup Treatment
   

Essential Oils for Croup

Croup Prevention
   

Croup FAQ
   

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What Is Croup?
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