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KidsCare Online

Does this describe your symptom?

  
  • Viral infection of the voicebox (larynx).
  • The croupy cough is tight, low-pitched, and barky (like a barking seal).
  • The voice or cry is hoarse (laryngitis).
    Stridor: A Complication of Croup
  • Stridor is a harsh, raspy sound heard with breathing in.
  • Loud or continuous stridor means severe croup.
    Causes
  • Usually a parainfluenza virus.
    Return to School

  • Your child can return to day care or school after the fever is gone and your child feels well enough to participate in normal activities. For practical purposes, the spread of croup and colds cannot be prevented.

    First Aid Advice for Stridor

  • Inhale warm mist in a foggy bathroom with the shower running, from a wet washcloth held near the face, or from a humidifier (add warm water) for 20 minutes. (Caution: avoid very hot water or steam which could cause burns or high body temperatures.)
  • If that fails, inhale cool air from breathing near an open refrigertor or taking outside for a few minutes.
  • Warm mist may also be helpful for difficulty breathing or severe coughing without stridor.

If not, see these other symptoms

  • If caused by a cough, see COUGH
  • If wheezing but no previous diagnosis of asthma, see WHEEZING
  1. Should I Call?
  2. Care at Home

Parent Care for Pediatric Symptoms. Copyright © 2000-2008. Barton D. Schmitt, MD
Reviewed/Modified: Sept 2008 by Intermountain Healthcare, Inc.


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