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You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Diseases & Conditions > Croup: Treatment of Croup

Croup

Provided by A.D.A.M.

Definition

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Symptoms & Signs

Prevention

Diagnosis & Tests

Treatment

Expectations or Prognosis

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Calling Your Health Care Provider

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Alternate Names : Laryngotracheobronchitis - Acute, Spasmodic Croup, Viral Croup

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Croup Treatment

Most cases of croup can be safely managed at home, but you will want to call your healthcare provider for guidance, even in the middle of the night.

Home therapy usually consists of a mist treatment -- a cool air nebulizer is best -- but if that is unavailable, hot steam from a shower or bath in a closed bathroom can be used. Sometimes stepping outside into the cool night air does the trick.

Acetaminophen can make the child more comfortable and lower any fever, lessening his or her respiratory needs. Avoid cough medicines unless you discuss them with your doctor first.

You may want your child to be seen. Steroid medicines can be very effective at promptly relieving the symptoms of croup. Medicated aerosol treatments, if necessary, are also powerful.

Serious illness requires hospitalization. Increasing or persistent breathing difficulty, fatigue, bluish coloration of the skin, or dehydration indicates the need for medical attention or hospitalization.

Aerosolized racemic epinephrine as well as oral dexamethasone (a steroid) are used to help to shrink the upper airway swelling. Oxygen and humidity may be provided in an oxygen tent placed over a crib. A bacterial infection requires antibiotic therapy.

Increasing obstruction of the airway requires intubation (placing a tube through the nose or mouth through the larynx into the main air passage to the lungs). Intravenous fluids are given for dehydration. In some cases, corticosteroids are prescribed.


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Definition
Croup Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Croup Symptoms & Signs
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Croup Diagnosis & Tests
Croup Treatment
Croup Prognosis
Croup Complications
Calling Your Health Care Provider
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Review Date : 10/29/2003
Reviewed By : Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P., Department of Pediatrics, Stanford School of Medicine; Lucile Packard Children's Hospital; Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial reviewers. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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