Bacterial Infection: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Urgent Warning Over Illness Most Common In Kids With Major 'seal Bark' Sign – And When To See Doctor

THE HSE has issued a major warning about a common illness in children - and revealed when it's time to see a doctor.

Croup is a common childhood illness that causes the airways to swell and breathing problems, and it can cause a barking cough that sounds like a seal.

1

Croup is a common illness that affects children aged three months to five years old

The HSE said: "Croup is an inflammation of the airways.

"It's common in children under the age of 3. Croup usually develops over a few days. It can be worse at night."

The illness is caused by a viral infection of the voice box and windpipe and it usually affects children aged three months to five years old during winter.

In most cases, croup is caused by viruses such as Parainfluenza virus (most common), Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Influenza virus, Adenovirus and Enteroviruses.

It can also cause what's known as stridor – a high-pitched 'creaking' or whistling sound when your child breathes in, caused by narrowed airways.

It usually develops over a few days and can be worse at night.

There are seven symptoms to watch out for:

a barking cough that sounds like a seal

loud or rasping breathing

hoarseness - your child's voice may be low and rough

fever

aches and pains

runny nose

runny eyes

GIVING LIFE

New mum, 38, dies from cancer after refusing treatment to save life of her baby

ACTION COMING

'Posts aren't filled' - Nurses vote for industrial action over hiring pause

CRUEL FATE

Boy, 11, to slowly lose ability to walk after Joe Wicks workout flagged symptom

DODGY DOSE

Urgent 'not to purchase' alert over online 'fake Ozempic' with 'dangerous risks'

It is important to contact your GP or out-of-hours GP service if your child is exhibiting any of the symptoms listed above.

The symptoms are usually mild, but they can change and become worse quickly.

All parents need to see heartbreaking video of my son - I'll never forget the fear in his eyes

In some cases, some children with croup need to be treated in the hospital.

The HSE also listed four symptoms that require immediate medical assistance if your child is experiencing:

struggling to breathe - you may see the chest or neck muscles being pulled in with each breath

has grey or blue skin or lips

has croup symptoms and is now drooling and unable to swallow

is unusually quiet and still or unusually sleepy

Children with croup usually recover on their own after two to three days. Until then, there are five ways you can help your child at home.

It is important that the child stays calm, as becoming stressed may make it harder for them to breathe.

Make sure to keep them upright and avoid letting them lie down as much as possible.

And be sure to give them plenty of fluids, such as water or their regular milk feeds.

Health officials urge parents to rest when they can; as croup is often worse at night, they may experience a few nights of disturbed sleep.

It is important not to put the sick child in a hot room or let them inhale steam; this will worsen their condition.

Speak with your local pharmacist for medications.

The Omicron Variant Appears To Cause Croup, A Barking Cough, In Some Children Under 5: Report

Some children infected with the Omicron variant are experiencing croup-like symptoms, NBC News reported.

Croup is an infection in the upper airway that causes a harsh cough that sounds like barking.

It's generally harmless and easy to diagnose, doctors told NBC News.

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus appears to cause croup in some children under 5, NBC News reported.

Croup is generally harmless and easy to diagnose, doctors told the news outlet, but it can shock parents who've never been exposed to it. It presents itself as a barking cough that sounds like a dog or a seal. It's an infection in the upper airway, according to the Mayo Clinic, caused by inflammation of the larynx and trachea in children.

It might be common for children to develop croup if they get infected with the Omicron variant, which often settles higher up in the respiratory tract, doctors told NBC News. 

The airways, therefore, swell up easily in children. "When that happens, there's that characteristic barking cough," said Dr. Buddy Creech, a pediatric infectious disease expert who's identified "croup-like presentations" in children who've tested positive for COVID-19.

"Little kids' airways are so narrow that it takes far less inflammation to clog them," Creech said.

Children who are infected and who have developed croup will often produce a cough with a harsh sound, caused by breathing through inflamed airways. 

Doctors elsewhere have also said they've seen cases of croup come up in COVID-positive children. 

In Alabama, for example, one doctor said most of his patients under 2 are presenting with croup-like symptoms.

"Toddlers have this raspy and barky cough that we're not seeing with the other variants. We're also seeing something called Bronchiolitis, it is a respiratory illness that causes some kids to have wheezy symptoms and raspy cough," Dr. Peily Soong with Children's of Alabama said in an interview with CBS 42.

Croup is easy to diagnose, doctors told NBC News. 

"Croup is a bread and butter pediatric diagnosis," said Dr. Mark Kline, chief physician at Children's Hospital New Orleans. "Infectious croup is one of the first diseases you learn about when you're an intern in pediatrics." 

---