Croup or bronchiolitis are most often caused by respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza viruses, influenza and adenoviruses.
A related infection called croup is frequently linked to RSV, but they aren't the same thing. The biggest difference between RSV vs. Croup is that RSV is a virus, while croup is a type of infection.
Croup viruses include parainfluenza, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), measles and adenovirus. Viral croup causes your child's upper airways to swell, making it difficult for them to breathe. However, these viruses are common and most children with viral infections don't develop croup.
But the illness may also be caused by bacteria, allergies, or reflux from the stomach. Viruses that are known to cause croup are: Parainfluenza virus. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Doctors usually treat children with epinephrine given in a nebulizer and corticosteroids given by mouth or injection. These drugs help shrink swollen tissue in the airways. Children who improve with these treatments may be sent home, but children who are very ill should remain in the hospital.
your child is struggling to breathe (you may see their tummy sucking inwards or their breathing sounds different) their skin or lips start to look very pale or blue. they're unusually quiet and still. they suddenly get a very high temperature or become very ill.
Normally these symptoms will clear up on their own in a few days. A barking or wheezing cough can be one of the first signs of a more serious illness. In these instances, the virus has spread to the lower respiratory tract, causing inflammation of the small airways entering the lungs.
Antibiotics do not play a role in treating croup because croup is caused by viruses and antibiotics do not treat viruses. Cough medicines and decongestants have not been proven to be helpful, and sedatives can mask symptoms of low blood oxygen and difficulty breathing.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if your child's lips or face turns bluish, if he is working hard to breathe, cannot speak or drink, or is drooling.
If your child has severe croup, they may be given adrenaline through a nebuliser. This will help improve symptoms within 10 to 30 minutes and the effects should last for up to two hours.
Coronavirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are two kinds of respiratory illnesses that have some similar symptoms. So far, the new coronavirus appears to be more dangerous for adults, especially older ones.
Croup affects the upper airway and is generally caused by a virus, such as the parainfluenza virus or influenza virus. Croup causes a high-pitched, barking cough and high-pitched breathing, referred to as stridor. Bronchiolitis affects the lower airway and is usually caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
Children with RSV typically have two to four days of upper respiratory tract symptoms, such as fever and runny nose/congestion. These are then followed by lower respiratory tract symptoms, like increasing wheezing cough that sounds wet and forceful with increased work breathing.
seems sick, shows signs of RSV and is less than 6 months of age or at high risk. has thick mucus from the nose or mouth that is yellow, green or gray.
The child may also have a hoarse cough and a very congested rattling in the chest, which often worsens during the night.
Although most cases of croup are mild, this common childhood illness can become serious and prevent your child from breathing normally. Contact your child's pediatrician if your child's croup is not improving or if you have other concerns. The doctor will make sure your child is evaluated and treated properly.
Croup can spread among children and from children to adults. The virus in mucus or respiratory droplets spreads through sneezing, coughing, crying, and wheezing. The croup infection is contagious until three days after symptoms start or, if fever is present, until the fever resolves.
In severe cases of croup, or if your child is not breathing well, your child may need to go to the hospital. You can manage most milder cases at home.
Croup treatment
Your doctor may prescribe a steroid to help with the trachea inflammation caused by croup. In more severe cases, doctors may prescribe certain breathing treatments. However, most cases of croup can be treated at home. Your child will need more fluids than normal when battling croup.
Sometimes we will prescribe a steroid – either a shot or an oral medicine (dexamethasone or prednisone), and symptoms will improve and a severe attack will be averted. Other times we might assess and determine that a steroid is not necessary. Since a virus, not a bacterium, causes croup antibiotics will not help.
Children with croup are usually diagnosed based on a clinical examination. Your doctor may also perform an airway or chest x-ray to help make the diagnosis. Croup usually improves by itself. However, home treatments that introduce humidity or cold air into the environment are often used to help improve breathing.
In more severe RSV disease, crackles and wheeze occur with labored breathing, tachypnea, and hypoxia; a small percentage of cases require intensive care and may result in death [3].
The early phase of RSV in babies and young children is often mild, like a cold. In children younger than age 3, the illness may move into the lungs and cause coughing and wheezing. In some children, the infection turns to a severe respiratory disease.