Causes and Prevention for Croup

Causes

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

Your child may get 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 surface with a virus on it, and then touches the eyes, nose or mouth, an infection may follow.

Risk factors

Children between 6 months and 3 years of age have the highest risk of getting croup. Because children have small airways, they're likely to have more symptoms with croup. Croup rarely occurs in children older than 6 years of age.

Complications

Most cases of croup are mild. In a small number of children, the airway swells enough to cause problems with breathing. Rarely, a bacterial infection of the windpipe can occur in addition to the viral infection. This can result in trouble breathing and requires emergency medical care.

Only a small number of children seen in the emergency room for croup require a stay in the hospital.

Prevention

To prevent croup, take the same steps you use to prevent colds and flu.

• Frequent hand-washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the most important step.
• Keep your child away from anyone who's sick.
• Encourage your child to cough or sneeze into the elbow.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces.

To prevent more-serious infections that may cause croup, keep your child's vaccinations up to date. The diphtheria and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines offer protection from some of the rarest — but most dangerous — upper airway infections. There isn't a vaccine yet that protects against parainfluenza viruses.