Causes
In most cases, croup is caused by influenza viruses, parainfluenza, measles, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus. The cause of croup may be an allergic reaction. Some children may have relapses. The bacterial infection is extremely rare at the root of the development of croup. As a result of infection, inflammation of the upper respiratory tract begins, especially in the larynx. Doctors call this condition a laryngotracheal bronchitis. At different stages of the disease, various structures of the respiratory tract are involved in the infection process, with primary lesion of the larynx and vocal folds. The epiglottis is a fold that closes the entrance to the larynx when swallowing water and food. Immediately beneath the epiglottis are the vocal folds, due to the vibration of which the sounds forming our speech are formed. In inflammation, the mucous membrane lining these structures becomes swollen, which narrows the lumen of the respiratory tract. The process is aggravated by increased secretion of the mucous glands. All of the above leads to difficulty breathing and the appearance of a coarse cough. It is also possible bacterial defeat of the epiglottis, in particular, Haemophilus influenza B. This serious disease is now rare due to universal immunization. A sick child needs intensive treatment in a hospital.
Most often, viral cereal develops in children between the ages of three months to five years. The most severe course of the disease is observed in preschool children. As a rule, the maximum number of infections is recorded between October and March. In typical cases, the cereal begins with the symptoms of an ordinary cold, which can be noted in other family members. Gradually, the child has hoarseness. Most often, the deterioration occurs suddenly, at night. The child wakes up with a loud, raspy cough. In the intervals between coughing attacks, air can hardly reach the lungs. Characteristic whistling sounds when air passes through narrowed airways on inspiration are called inspiratory stridor. To facilitate breathing, abdominal muscles are reflexively connected. Body temperature can be normal. An attack of croup can greatly frighten both parents and the child. Fortunately, in most cases, coughing passes quickly and spontaneously, without medical attention. Parents can alleviate the condition of the child with the help of some simple measures. The main thing is not to panic! If the child feels that the parents are frightened, he too will become frightened, which will cause a spasm and an even greater narrowing of the respiratory tract. Take the child to the bathroom, close the door and turn on the hot water. Warm moist air will facilitate his breathing.
How to calm down
Hug the child and spend 20-30 minutes with him in a calm environment; you can read a fairy tale for him. As a rule, after five minutes the child becomes better. If the improvement does not occur, try giving a breathe to the child with cold night air. If the bouts of croup are repeated, some parents go with the child to ride a car, opening a car window. In the child's room you can install an evaporator or humidifier. You can build a canopy over the headboard from the blanket. For older children, you can use an umbrella. However, you can not leave the child under the canopy of one! Parents should stay in the same room. While the child is ill, you can not smoke in the house. Children feel more comfortable in sitting position; To lay the sick child's bed is recommended in a bed with an elevated headboard. If the baby cries, then it breathes freely enough.
Health care
Medical care may be required if the child's breathing difficulty does not pass. If the condition worsens during inspiration, the intercostal spaces are retracted (paradoxical breathing). Physicians' help may be needed with persistent inspiratory stridor (wheezing wheezing), salivation, depression of consciousness, deterioration in the general condition of the child, blue lips and nails (due to lack of oxygen). Treatment in the hospital includes inhalation of moistened air with oxygen, adrenaline vapor and steroids. In most cases, medical supervision is not required. Antibiotics for treatment are not used, because the croup is caused by viruses. Croup can last up to five days. The evaporator or air humidifier must be in the children's room until full recovery. Approximately 15% of children develop complications from the lower respiratory tract and middle ear. They appear in the resolution of croup, which is not accompanied by an improvement in the general condition of the child. The baby can suffer from pain in the ears and an ongoing cough. In this case, as well as in the presence of frequent attacks of croup, a doctor's consultation is required. In cases of relapse, attention should be paid to a family allergic history.