Croup treatment in prayagraj - www.entclinicallahabad.com

Croup refers to an infection of the upper airway, which obstructs breathing and causes a characteristic barking cough.

The cough and other signs and symptoms of croup are the result of swelling around the voice box (larynx), windpipe (trachea) and bronchial tubes (bronchi). When a cough forces air through this narrowed passageway, the swollen vocal cords produce a noise similar to a seal barking. Likewise, taking a breath often produces a high-pitched whistling sound (stridor).

Causes
Croup is usually caused by a viral infection, most often a parainfluenza virus.

Your child may contract a virus by breathing infected respiratory droplets coughed or sneezed into the air. Virus particles in these droplets may also survive on toys and other surfaces. If your child touches a contaminated surface and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth, an infection may follow.

Symptoms
Croup often begins as a typical cold. If there's enough inflammation and coughing, a child will develop:

• Loud barking cough that's further aggravated by crying and coughing, as well as anxiety and agitation, setting up a cycle of worsening signs and symptoms
• Fever
• Hoarse voice
• Breathing that may be noisy or labored
• Symptoms of croup are typically worse at night and usually last for three to five days.

Croup typically occurs in younger children. Croup usually isn't serious and most children can be treated at home.