Sara Dobson
Rachel Henwood - Freelance WriterCroup
August 24th 2008 23:21
My tentative return to the workforce and my daughters introduction to day care has made for one of the most weird and difficult weeks.
After just one day in care Samantha came home with a sore throat . She does not usually get sick so I am guessing it was picked up at day care. Within two days, we all had sore throats, but Samantha was worse.
I got the fright of my life late Thursday evening when I heard a terrible barking sound coming from my daughter’s room (and we don’t have a dog). I went in and she was upset and struggling for breath. It was quite scary, we took her to A&E that night and she was diagnosed with Croup.
Croup is an infection of the windpipe and larynx that causes inflammation and swelling. The windpipe gets even narrower when the child is breathing in which can makes breathing difficult.
It is most common in children under 5 years old, as their windpipes tend to be narrower. Children most susceptible are those born prematurely or with narrow upper windpipes
It usually starts with a mild viral infection that the child may have had for several days. Which my daughter had, but seemed to be getting better. Then suddenly the child may wake in the night with a barking cough and difficulty breathing. The reason it often happens at night is due to the cold air. If your child wakes up barking do not hesitate getting up to them, you will probably find them sitting up in bed scared.
If your child has croup, it is important to humidify the room. You can use a humidifier or steam up the bathroom, and sit in there for 15 minutes with your child. If that does not work then see your doctor.
Some children can suffer quite badly and feel lethargic due to breathing difficulties and may even get a bluish tinge due to lack of oxygen, if this is the case take your child to the doctor imediately. Usually the doctor would give the child steroids to reduce the inflammation or swelling. My daughter only needed one dose; some children need two over a period of 48 hours.
After just one day in care Samantha came home with a sore throat . She does not usually get sick so I am guessing it was picked up at day care. Within two days, we all had sore throats, but Samantha was worse.
I got the fright of my life late Thursday evening when I heard a terrible barking sound coming from my daughter’s room (and we don’t have a dog). I went in and she was upset and struggling for breath. It was quite scary, we took her to A&E that night and she was diagnosed with Croup.
Croup is an infection of the windpipe and larynx that causes inflammation and swelling. The windpipe gets even narrower when the child is breathing in which can makes breathing difficult.
It is most common in children under 5 years old, as their windpipes tend to be narrower. Children most susceptible are those born prematurely or with narrow upper windpipes
It usually starts with a mild viral infection that the child may have had for several days. Which my daughter had, but seemed to be getting better. Then suddenly the child may wake in the night with a barking cough and difficulty breathing. The reason it often happens at night is due to the cold air. If your child wakes up barking do not hesitate getting up to them, you will probably find them sitting up in bed scared.
If your child has croup, it is important to humidify the room. You can use a humidifier or steam up the bathroom, and sit in there for 15 minutes with your child. If that does not work then see your doctor.
Some children can suffer quite badly and feel lethargic due to breathing difficulties and may even get a bluish tinge due to lack of oxygen, if this is the case take your child to the doctor imediately. Usually the doctor would give the child steroids to reduce the inflammation or swelling. My daughter only needed one dose; some children need two over a period of 48 hours.
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