Babies have an immature immune system which is why it becomes very important to take every care to ensure that they don’t fall sick. Croup in babies is a viral infection that spreads from an infected person through contact and air droplets. This infection is rare in babies but there are cases of babies getting the infection.
Croup is a viral infection that occurs due to the parainfluenza virus and causes blockage of the windpipe, resulting in cough, noisy breathing and congestion. Symptoms can get worse during the nights. Although Croup typically only causes a moderate illness, it can suddenly worsen. Young children, especially those under the age of five, are particularly prone to it. Fever goes from low to high, although babies do not get any specific harm from the fever.
In This Article
- What is Croup?
- Causes of Croup in Babies
- Signs And Symptoms of Croup in Babies
- How is Croup Diagnosed in Babies?
- Treatment Options For Croup in Babies
- Home Remedies For Croup in Babies
- Can Croup be Prevented?
- When Should You Call a Doctor?
- FAQ’s
What is Croup?
Croup is a viral infection that affects the upper airways in babies. As a result, babies may experience difficulty breathing and a bark-like cough which is unique to croup. The infection affects the vocal cords, lungs’ airways (the bronchi), and the windpipe (trachea). This results in breathing difficulties due to the swelling and narrowing of the airway.
Causes of Croup in Babies
Influenza, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), measles, and adenovirus are the most frequent causes of Croup. Breathing becomes challenging due to the swelling of the upper airways brought on by this infection. Rarely can bacteria increase a viral infection and make breathing harder.
Signs and Symptoms of Croup in Babies
Croup is typically mild and lasts less than a week, but symptoms can become severe and life-threatening. Symptoms are generally worst at bedtime. Here are some of the common signs and symptoms of croup
- The main symptoms are a “barking cough” and hoarseness.
- A stuffy nose and a runny nose are the first signs of croup. These symptoms get worse over time.
- In the worst cases, swelling in the upper part of the windpipe makes it hard to breathe.
- Congestion and coughing often happen 12 to 48 hours before it gets hard to breathe.
- Most babies develop a fever, which can range from low (100.4°F or 38°C) to incredibly high (104°F or 40.5°C). The fever itself does not harm them.
- Depending on the virus causing the illness, other symptoms such as rash, eye redness (conjunctivitis), and swollen lymph nodes may develop.
- Dehydration can occur if the baby is not drinking enough milk or liquids.
- As airflow to the lungs is limited, low oxygen levels (called hypoxia) and blue-tinged skin (called cyanosis) can develop. Cyanosis may appear first in the fingers and toes, earlobes, the tip of the nose, lips, and tongue, and inside of the cheek.
[Read : Cough in Babies]
How is Croup Diagnosed in Babies?
Croup can be diagnosed by your child’s healthcare provider based on health history and physical examination.
- Through physical examination, the doctor may check for chest congestion, observe patterns of barking cough and looks for any other symptoms that may indicate croup.
- In addition, the doctor may also ask the parents about the previous symptoms such as fever, runny nose, difficulty breathing, etc. Usually this will be enough to help the doctor diagnose the condition.
[Read : How To Bring Down A Fever In Babies?]
Treatment Options For Croup in Babies
The course of treatment for croup in babies will depend on the severity of the condition. It is usually mild in babies. Here are some treatment options for croup in babies.
- For mild croup, the doctor may recommend mild pain-relieving medications if they suspect that your baby has a sore throat.
- Fever will be treated with syrups that help bring down temperature.
- Additionally, the pediatrician may recommend keeping the room moist with the help of a humidifier to help your baby obtain relief.
- Babies older than six months of age may be given warm beverages such as warm milk to provide relief from sore throat.
- If your baby has severe croup or is having trouble breathing, they may need to be hospitalized. Oxygen levels, breathing and heart rate, skin color (standard versus blue-tinged), and level of alertness are all monitored to assess the child’s condition and response to treatment. A child who does not improve or improves slowly may require additional treatment.
- A breathing tube in the throat is rarely required for children with severe Croup; less than 1% of children seen in the emergency department require tube feeding.
Home Remedies For Croup in Babies
For a milder case, the following home remedies may be helpful
- Allow your baby to rest.
- Ensure that they stay hydrated.
- Do not smoke in the house. Smoke can cause an increase in your baby’s cough.
- Keep your baby’s head elevated.
- Take the help of a room humidifier or shower steam to make your baby feel better.
- Making a steam chamber out of your bathroom. Turn on your bathroom shower’s hot water. Keep the door shut to prevent the room from becoming steamy.
- Sit in the steam with your baby for 15 to 20 minutes.
- If your baby wakes up at night, try wrapping them in a blanket and taking them outside to enjoy the cool night air.
Can Croup be Prevented?
There is no way to avoid Croup. Most of the viruses that cause Croup have no vaccines. Simple hygiene measures can help to prevent infection with the viruses that cause Croup. These measures include
1. Hand Hygiene
Hands should ideally be wet with water and plain or antimicrobial soap and rubbed together for 15 to 30 seconds. Particular focus should be placed on the wrists, between the fingers, and fingernails. Hands should be thoroughly rinsed and dried using a single-use towel.
2. Regular Hand Sanitization
Alcohol-based hand rubs are a good alternative for disinfecting hands when a sink is unavailable. Hand rubs should be applied to the entire surface of the hands, fingers, and wrists until dry, and they can be used multiple times. There are liquid and wipe-based hand massages that can fit in a pocket or handbag. When a sink is available, wash visibly soiled hands with soap and water.
3. Avoid Contant With the Infected
Avoid close contact with other adults and children with an upper respiratory infection when possible. This may not be easy, especially in public, but parents can try to limit direct contact. Furthermore, sick infants or children should not be sent to daycare or school, as this could make others sick too.
4. Vaccinations
Babies over six months should get a flu vaccine once a year for the influenza virus. Flu vaccines are typically given in the fall and winter months.
Following basic hygiene measures such as keeping surfaces sanitized, sneezing into the elbow and avoiding contact with the outside world when you have croup can prevent the spread of this infection.
[Read : Flu Shots for Babies]
When Should You Call a Doctor?
Parents should seek medical assistance urgently if their baby exhibits symptoms of croup that are worsening or are severe such as
- Frequent coughing spells
- Unable to speak or cry
- Breathing difficulties
- Difficulties in swallowing food or liquids
- Pale or bluish skin
- Whistling sound with breathing or noisy, high-pitched breathing when sitting or resting
As soon as possible, get in touch with your pediatrician if your baby has symptoms such as
- High fever
- Cough or other symptoms worsening
- Baby still feels sick, although their fever is getting down
- Baby doesn’t get better in a week’s time
Croup in babies is rare. Most often, a virus is to blame. When someone with a croup coughs, sneezes or produces respiratory droplets, the croup viruses can spread quickly (mucus, droplets from coughing or sneezing). Babies with Croup should be treated as contagious for three days following the onset of the disease or until the fever has dropped. Most situations are manageable at home because they are minor.
FAQ’s
1. Can Croup in Babies be Contagious?
Croup can be contagious in babies for three days from the beginning of the disease or if the fever is not going down. Since it is spread through a virus so can be easily transmitted from one person to the next through coughing, sneezing or respiratory secretions.
2. How Long Does Croup Take to Go Away?
The majority of croup cases resolve within 48 hours. However, in a few instances, symptoms may last for as long as two weeks.
3. Do You Need Antibiotics For Croup?
Pediatricians generally do not prescribe antibiotics since croup is mostly a viral infection. However, in some circumstances, doctors may prescribe antibiotics if croup happens due to a bacterial infection or to prevent secondary infection in babies.
4. Can Croup Turn into Pneumonia?
Depending on the infection’s severity, croup may continue for five to six days. Croup can also result in ear infections, respiratory problems, or pneumonia.
Read Also: Strep Throat in Babies – Causes, Signs and Treatment
