In the autumn and winter months, when viral infections are very common, it is most common between the ages of 6 months and 3 years and is more common in men. Although rare, it has occurred in patients I have seen up to the age of 10. Those with viral origin usually recur every year. Recurrent croup usually causes airway hyperactivity and high altitude sickness. IgE levels are detected.
The virus we call Parainfluenza type 1 is responsible for 75% of the cases. However, it can also be caused by many viruses. A few days before the disease begins, upper respiratory tract infection and mild fever begin, usually two days before the disease begins. Then the child wakes up from his sleep with a barking cough and does not want to go to bed due to respiratory distress. The type of cough is repetitive and rough dog barking. Laboratory findings are not helpful in diagnosis, so the diagnosis is made with the clinical findings of the patient. We doctors do not recommend croup patients to 10 meters away due to the typical cough. We recognize it from afar. Antibiotics are unnecessary in the treatment. Nebul treatments, cold steam and, if necessary, steroids are given to relax the patient's breathing. It heals in less than a week without complications.
Bacterial-induced Croup is called EPIGLOTISand is very common. It is a disease that requires urgent intervention and the obstruction in the respiratory tract is lower. The patient is very moody and agitated. It needs to be diagnosed and treated urgently because it may result in death. The causative agent is Hem.Influenzae Type Band HIB, which is regularly applied in our country. Its incidence has decreased due to vaccinations. One must be hospitalized and antibiotic treatment must be started. Viral and Bacterial Croup are two different diseases and their treatment approaches are different.
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