Croup

Croup is a general term for a set of symptoms that may occur when the larynx, trachea, and bronchi are affected by various etiologies. It is characterized by a barking cough (the cough sounds like a "seal's bark"), hoarseness, inspiratory stridor (a high-pitched, loud, squeaking sound made by the airway during inspiration), and varying degrees of respiratory distress. Some patients may also experience fever, rash, and lymphadenopathy. Croup is associated with airway obstruction, and the main cause is viral infection, most commonly parainfluenza virus. Bacterial infection is also a common cause of croup. Clinically, it can be divided into viral croup and spasmodic croup.