How to Cope With Croup

What is croup?Croup is a common respiratory problem in young children. It tends to occur in the fall and winter. Its main symptom is a harsh, barking cough. Croup causes swelling and narrowing in the voice box, windpipe, and breathing tubes that lead to the lungs. This can make it hard for your child to breathe.An attack of croup can be scary, but it is rarely serious. Children usually get better in several days with rest and care at home. What causes croup?Croup usually occurs a few days after the start of a cold and is usually caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold. Croup is contagious. The germs that cause it can be passed from one person to another through coughing and sneezing and through close contact. Regular hand-washing and limiting contact with others can help prevent the spread of croup.As children grow older and their lungs and windpipes mature, they are less likely to get croup. Getting a flu vaccine each year may help your child fight off some of the
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Find out if your child has croup, whether this childhood illness is dangerous, how to recognize croup's cough, how to treat it, and more.
Tags: croup, cough, bark, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, runny nose, stuffy nose, sore throat, pneumonia, cold, asthma