It is quite natural for every parent to want to protect their baby as much as possible from all sickness and to deal with any signs and symptoms as quickly as possible. But this is perhaps one of the toughest parts of baby care. It can be difficult to balance, as confusion always prevails whether to allow the sickness to run its course or whether to rush to the doctor at every small hint of cold or cough. This is a common confusion faced by almost all first time parents. Having a young baby who is ill is really very distressing and it can become a nightmare, if poor choice is made in case the baby is seriously ill. But of course sickness every time do not mean a threat, parents should expect their baby to get cold and occasional fever. But if cold and fever persists for more than 5 days, consulting a doctor is better because the baby might be suffering from something more than a normal cold, a condition called croup. Read on to know more about the disease, its symptoms, and treatment.
About croup
Croup is a viral respiratory infection that affects the upper airways – the trachea (windpipe) and the larynx (voice box), and causes it to swell resulting in harsh “barking” cough and difficult to breath. Croup affects children who are below 5 years of age. The infection usually lasts for more than 5-6 days, and is very common in winter and early spring season. The symptoms often worsen at nights and improve in the day time. The risk of croup infection increases, if the child is prematurely born.
Causes
Croup is caused mostly by a viral infection. The viruses involved in croup infection are parainfluenza virus (mostly), adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus. Other causes of croup include bacterial infection, allergy, and inhaled irritants. A baby gets the infection when he/she comes in direct contact with a person or the secretion of an infected person. The infection starts in the upper respiratory tract and slowly spreads down resulting in swelling of trachea and the larynx. Young children are affected mostly because they have a small airway, and a mild infection and swelling is enough to block the airway.
Symptoms
The infection usually starts showing itself as common cold with stuffy and runny nose along with fever. As the infection increases resulting in inflammation of the trachea and larynx the child may exhibit a harsh, loud, barking cough. If the upper respiratory tract becomes even more infected the child may find it difficult to breath an every time he/she breaths in a high-pitched squeaking noise is made. The child may also show symptoms of fast breathing and retraction of the chest. In severe condition, the lips and the region around the mouth may turn blue due to lack of oxygen. The symptoms of croup usually worsen at nights or when the baby is crying. Babies with croup usually are irritable, sleepy, and have low appetite. In bad condition it may also cause choking and vomiting.
Home remedies
The moment parents discover that their baby has croup they can start few home remedies. Most mild case of croup is treated effectively by home remedies.
The baby should be allowed to take complete rest, and should be given plenty of fluid to drink. The parents should try to keep the baby calm and quiet, as crying can worsen the situation. Quiet play is better as running can make cough even worse. Giving any type of cough syrup is not recommended, especially if the child is below 2 years of age. For chest discomfort and discomfort caused by fever, parents can try giving acetaminophen. For stuffy nose parents can try clearing it with salt-water drops (1 teaspoon of table salt in a cup of water).
The baby should be made to sit upright rather than lying down. No one should be allowed to smoke near the baby. Moist environment helps the child breathe easy, parents can turn on the humidifier or make your child breath through a wet cloth placed over his mouth and nose or try running hot water in the bathtub, and once the room is steamy sit with the baby in the bathroom for 10 minutes. The child should be made to breathe fresh, cool air. Parents can wrap the baby in blanket and take the baby for a walk in cool environment.
In case home remedies do not work
Even after trying most of the home remedies if the baby doesn’t seem to respond, then it’s time to consult a doctor. The doctor may prescribe few medicines or treatment to bring down the symptoms. Most of the time doctors prescribe steroids to reduce the swelling. In case of severe croup and blocking of airways, doctors may recommend aerosolized racemic epinephrine (adrenalin) such as dexamethasone and prednisone, which should be taken orally, inhaled or injected forms of corticosteroids may also be prescribed. Corticosteroids rapidly reduce the swelling in the airways. In case of difficulty in breathing, oxygen may be given and the child is kept under continuous monitoring overnight. In case of bacterial infection, an antibiotic may be required. Severe case of airways obstruction may require intubation, a process where a tube is passed through nose, mouth, larynx straight into the airway that reaches the lungs. Intravenous fluids may be given in case of dehydration.
Complications
Children with croup usually do not develop any complications and they recover completely. Very rarely they develop complications like
- Bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract or pneumonia
- Ear infection
- Dehydration due to less fluid intake
- Respiratory arrest (slow down or stop in breathing due to any reason)
- Epiglottitis – inflammation of the cartilage covering the trachea
- Atelectasis (collapse of part of the lung)
Prevention
Though preventing croup is very close to impossible, parents can try few hygiene tips to avoid the infection as much possible. Take care to wash hands frequently and avoid contact with any infected person. Getting vaccination for diphtheria, Haemophilus influenza (Hib), and measles can prevent the various dangerous forms of croup.
Outlook
To err is human, but if you make a mistake in choice of treatment see that it is on the side of caution. It is of course reassuring that babies with a healthy immune system will see off the occasional virus with no difficulty. This is why, right from the day of birth and through their childhood parents should take care for their immune system, by immunizing. A strong immune system will help them to fight and resist all illness. So, the next time he/she coughs or sneeze’s parents will be sure that he/she will soon get it under control.
