{"id":6282,"date":"2019-05-09T02:28:41","date_gmt":"2019-05-09T02:28:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=6282"},"modified":"2021-06-09T12:16:34","modified_gmt":"2021-06-09T12:16:34","slug":"14-early-signs-of-croup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-early-signs-of-croup\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Early Signs of Croup"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The croup is an infection of the airways. It can affect the lungs, vocal cords, and throat. It causes inflammation in the airway, which leads to a thick coating of mucus. The mucus can be breathed deep into the lungs where it can make breathing difficult. Croup is common in children, but adults can also suffer from it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The illness can last for several days but is usually not serious. In some cases, the croup may clear up on its own. In most cases, however, medication is required. A barking or hacking cough is one of the most common symptoms of croup. The sooner it is treated, the faster a patient can recover. Knowing the early signs of croup can help you seek medical attention for yourself or your child. In rare cases, the group may be a sign of another, more serious illness. Here are some of the early signs of croup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Fever<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Croup is caused by a virus or infection, and a fever <\/a>is often present. Many people experience a fever before any other symptoms. It can be hard to tell if the fever is the result of croup or another condition. Fevers can be mild or severe, and if they get too high, they can be dangerous. Children are more likely to suffer from high fever with croup than adults. Fever medicine can be used to help reduce fever. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cool baths can also help lower body temperature. It is important to drink plenty of fluids if you have a fever, as dehydration is common. If a fever lasts for than a couple of days or becomes too high, you should seek medical attention. A fever may come and go, and sometimes the medication is only enough to reduce the temperature and not cause the fever to break. Once the underlying cause is treated, the fever should subside pretty quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Lost Voice<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lost voice, hoarseness, or laryngitis <\/a>are common symptoms of croup. The airways become inflamed and swollen, which can press against the voice box. The voice box cannot expand properly, and a person cannot use their voice properly. Throat lozenges may provide some relief, but the hoarseness usually returns within a short time. Coughing and hacking can also make the hoarseness worse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children who suffer from croup may go through crying spells, which can also strain the voice box and cause them to lose their voices. Warm tea and saltwater rinses can help improve hoarseness. Resting the voice is also important and can help speed up recovery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While a lost voice may not be a serious concern for many people, it could mean a more serious underlying cause. If the hoarseness lasts for more than a few days, seek medical attention. Doctors may be able to prescribe medication that can soothe the throat and vocal cords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Cough<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common symptoms of croup is a cough<\/a>. The cough doesn\u2019t sound like a normal cough but sounds more like a hacking sound instead. The cough may sound rattled, and you can usually hear the mucus as it moves around in the chest and airway during a coughing episode. Children often have a more severe cough, and the hacking sound is one of the earliest signs of the croup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cough medication can help reduce the frequency of coughing, but will not treat the underlying cause of the croup. The cough usually gets worse at night or early in the morning. Lying down can also make it worse. Some people find relief by sleeping sitting up or on their side. If the cough becomes too severe, a doctor may prescribe strong cough medication. The cough is typically the last symptoms to clear up after the infection is gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Mucus<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mucus <\/a>can form in the throat and along the airways of a person who is suffering from the group. This mucus can be thick and can make it hard to breathe, sleep, and eat. When a person coughs, they may expel mucus from the body. In fact, most of the time a cough is the body\u2019s way of trying to remove the mucus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are medications that can help thin out mucus so it can leave the body more easily. Medication can also help reduce the amount of mucus that the body produces. Until the underlying cause of the condition is found and treated, the body will continue to produce mucus that gets caught in the airway. Coughing and hacking may help remove some of the mucus from the body. The color of the mucus can be important. Clear mucus is common, but yellow, green mucus can be a sign of a lung infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Exhaustion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Being sick can put a lot of strain on the body and cause fatigue and exhaustion. As people cough and hack to get the mucus out of their lungs and airways, they become tired. If there is a fever present with the croup, it can also lead to fatigue. Rest can help improve exhaustion and fatigue <\/a>and give the body a chance to heal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since people who are suffering from the croup are struggling to breathe and may not be getting enough oxygen, this could be another reason for the fatigue. If oxygen levels fall too low, it can be dangerous. Some fatigue is common, but if it seems to be chronic or if a person becomes too tired and weak to move around or respond, it may be a medical emergency. Doctors can rule out a serious condition that may be causing fatigue and possibly prescribe medication to boost your energy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Congestion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most people experience congestion <\/a>as a result of the group. The airways and lungs become inflamed, and mucus coats them. The body attempts to remove the mucus, which leads to coughing and hacking. A deep, uncontrollable hack is one of the telltale signs of croup. There can also be a rattling sound in the chest as a person with the croup tries to remove the mucus from the body. In children, this congestion can cause breathing problems and a feeling of suffocation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many over the counter medications that can help improve congestion. They help break up the mucus and thin it out so it can be removed from the body more easily. This can help with breathing issues and congestions, but may not treat the underlying cause. Congestion can continue until the underlying cause is addressed. Doctors can prescribe stronger medications that can help remove mucus from the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Chest Pain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chest pain<\/a> is a common symptom of croup. The lungs struggle to get enough air, and the chest hurts as a result. Since the croup can affect the airways, it can start in the chest and affect other areas as well. \u00a0Croup can also be caused by numerous underlying conditions that may also cause chest pain. Pneumonia, the common cold, and the flu can lead to croup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, the croup may be the start of these problems too. Other infections such as bronchitis can also cause chest pain and croup symptoms. If the symptoms become too severe, medical attention may be needed. Chest pain is not common, and it can be a sign of something more serious. If left untreated, it can lead to other health problems and complications.  One of the underlying causes of the croup is treated; the chest pain and other symptoms should also go away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Trouble Breathing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since the croup affects the airways, it can make breathing difficult. The airways swell shut, and less oxygen can enter the lungs. Patients with asthma <\/a>may have severe symptoms and may need medical treatment immediately. \u00a0This can be one of the most severe symptoms of croup, especially in children. It can be hard to eat, sleep, and even stay awake as a result of the lack of oxygen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parents should monitor children closely to make sure the breathing doesn\u2019t become too labored. Breathing problems can also lead to fatigue, as the body has to work harder to get air. If a person with the croup struggles to catch their breath or seems to be turning blue as a result of lack of oxygen, it could be an emergency, and medical treatment may be necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wheezing and coughing often accompany breathing problems and can make them worse. It can sometimes be hard to notice if a person is struggling to breathe correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Chills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Children who experience croup cough may find that they develop a fever in the early stages of infection. The intensity of the temperature varies depending on the health of the child’s immune system, and its response to the invading pathogen<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some kids may only experience a mild fever, while others may have temperatures over 100F. When the brain detects the presence of the virus responsible for causing croup, it floods the hypothalamus with instructions to increase the production of pyrogen proteins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These proteins interact with the nervous system, elevating the body’s setpoint temperature. As a result, the patient may find that they develop chills that lead them to shiver while the body lags behind the setpoint temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no cure or treatment available to soothe the effects of chills related to fever. Covering the patient with blankets won’t help the situation because it’s an issue with internal temperatures, not the external environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Swollen Lymph Nodes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients experiencing croup cough may find that they develop swollen glands under the neck. The lymphatic system<\/a> runs through the body, and it has the task of removing pathogens from the blood and tissues. The lymph fluid then runs through the glands that act as filters, removing toxins, bacteria, and viruses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The throat, underarms, and groin have the most amount of lymph nodes, which is why your doctor will press against the sides of your throat during the diagnosis. The lymph nodes may swell to the size of a pea, and they reduce in size as the infection subsides. In most cases, there are no complications related to this symptom, unless the nodes turn color and become hard to the touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no known treatment to stop the inflammation of the lymph nodes, as it’s a vital process in eliminating the infection. Therefore, doctors recommend treating the patient with supportive strategies, such as wearing loose-fitting clothing, and lightly icing the throat if it’s feeling sore.
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11. Dry Lips in Infants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Infants infected with the bacteria or virus that causes croup cough may start to refuse food and beverages. The pain and discomfort <\/a>associated with the inflammation in the throat lead them to believe that they can avoid the pain by withholding from eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children do not understand the importance of food and water, and they may refuse it to the extent of malnutrition or dehydration. Parents need to pay special attention to their child for any signs of dehydration \u2013 such as cracked or dry lips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dehydration is a severe complication of many illnesses. Since the majority of our body consists of water, losing body fluids and essential minerals and electrolytes has disastrous health consequences. When we lose electrolytes, we run the risk of developing an imbalance that leads to the development of seizures and brain damage in infants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always ensure your child remains hydrated, even if they put up a fuss while drinking or eating. If the baby refuses to drink after 24-hours, take them to the emergency room for immediate assistance.
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12. Infants Turning Blue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Young children with croup cough may also develop severe breathing problems that affect their oxygen intake. While this symptom is not common in young children older than 18-months, babies are at risk of complications from this breathing disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Infants are unable to speak, and they cannot voice their discomfort to their parents using language like older kids. Instead, they use visual cues and crying as a means to communicate. Unfortunately, there are times when a baby is physically incapable of signaling their distress<\/a>, and they rely solely on the parent being able to pick up their problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kids with croup cough that develop respiratory problems may not receive enough oxygen into their bloodstream while breathing. As a result, they may start to develop a bluish-grey tinge on their lips and extremities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s best to take the child to the emergency room for immediate medical attention if you notice this occurrence.
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13. Rash and Red Eyes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Children who are dealing with croup cough may experience a decline in blood oxygen <\/a>levels, as mentioned in the previous segment. In this case, the lack of oxygen causes several peripheral symptoms to occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A rash and red eyes are some of the most common peripheral symptoms of croup cough. When the eyes do not receive enough oxygen, the whites may turn red. Also, the patient may develop a light spotty rash on their eyelids as well, signaling low-levels of oxygen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors take these peripheral signs as indicators of underlying health conditions, such as croup cough. The rash may also spread easier when there is less oxygen in the bloodstream. The skin relies on oxygenated blood to maintain its delicate fungal balance on the surface. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When oxygen levels are low, it may lead to the growth and spread of fungi, leading to conditions like jock itch which appear on the thighs or buttocks and under the arms.
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14. Difficulty Swallowing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The pain and discomfort symptoms associated with croup cough in children may cause them to refrain from eating. The virus responsible for the condition causes significant amounts of inflammation and swelling <\/a>in the throat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the child may find they experience a “tight” sensation when swallowing. The peristaltic action of swallowing may also cause pain symptoms, making eating, and drinking a hassle for the patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it’s vital that the child keeps eating and drinking to maintain the strength of the immune system. If your kid is complaining about a sore throat when swallowing, let them suck on a medicated lozenge to reduce the pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lozenges are available using mild anesthetics, like benzocaine. These sweets are effective at neutralizing any pain in the throat. However, some [parents are not comfortable giving their children these types of OTC medications and may want to choose a natural remedy containing licorice root extract instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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