Croup


What is Croup?
   
Croup was once regarded as a deadly disease but now thanks to antibiotics and immunization, cases of croup are usually mild. Croup tends to affect children between the ages of three months and five years, though it can develop at any age.

Children may also become prone to croup and suffer from recurring attacks throughout their childhood. Croup is more commonly seen from October to December but can occur at other times in the year.

Croup is an infection which affects the respiratory system, including the larynx, the trachea, and the bronchial tubes in the lungs. Croup is mostly caused by a virus and less often by a bacterial infection. In severe cases, croup can cause a super infection of the upper respiratory tract that is known as bacterial tracheitis or epiglottis. This condition requires immediate antibiotic treatment and hospitalization, as it can be potentially fatal if not treated in time. 
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