False croup in children

Against the background of various viral, acute respiratory or catarrhal diseases, babies can have complicated consequences. Often parents are confronted with such a pathology as false croup. In children, the symptoms of this disease have their own characteristics. This will be discussed today.

False croup - what is it?

False-type croup is considered a pathology provoked by viruses. It appears as a result of the development of acute inflammatory processes in the larynx. Often, such processes are accompanied by the appearance of puffiness under the folds of the larynx. As a result of the development of such a disease, the baby has difficulty breathing. The croup that develops after suffering colds is called false, in order to distinguish it from the pathology that occurs on the background of diphtheria.

In some cases, false croup can be cured at home, but only under the supervision of the attending specialist. As practice shows, the disease is accompanied by difficulty breathing, insufficient air flow, which can lead to hypoxia and even asphyxia. Most often, the appearance of false cereal in children due to the following reasons:

• transfer of viral pathologies caused by parainfluenza, influenza or adenovirus pathogens;
• ingestion of pathogenic viruses, in particular, herpes, scarlet fever, and chickenpox;
• reproduction of bacterial infections provoked by streptococci and pneumococci, staphylococci and hemophilic bacillus.

Healing specialists draw the attention of parents to the fact that false croup can develop against the background of such pathologies:

• acute rhinitis;
• adenoiditis;
• pharyngitis;
• during the period following vaccination.

Most often, children aged 1 to 5 years are susceptible to this disease. There is a special category of children who are at risk. Factors that increase the likelihood of complications in the form of false croup, are:

• birth injury;
• the presence of a tendency to the appearance of allergic reactions;
• overweight;
• diseases of rickets, diathesis.

Also at risk are children who, during the lactation period, were fed with artificial mixtures. Often, the appearance of false croup depends on the characteristics of the physiological structure of the upper respiratory tract.

False croup in children: symptoms and treatment

At the initial stage, the symptoms of false croup have no specific signs and are very similar to the common cold. Initially, namely during the first 2 days, the baby has the following symptoms:

• rhinitis;
• dry cough;
• chills.

In the following days, approximately on the 4th day, the false croup acquires a pronounced character and the child develops specific symptoms, in particular:

• change of voice timbre;
• hoarseness;
• dry cough that has signs of barking;
• difficulty breathing, especially when inhaling;
• wheezing and noisy breathing that is heard from a distance.

Depending on the form of the pathology, there may be other symptoms. As medical practice shows, a false croup always has a paroxysmal character. Most often attacks occur in the evening or at night. The attack of false croup is characterized by the following symptoms:

• anxiety;
• capriciousness;
• dry cough;
• hard breath;
• rapid breathing process (more than 40 breaths per one minute);
• pallor of the skin;
• confusion;
• lethargy;
• weakness.

Often false croup is confused with other diseases that are associated with the development of inflammatory processes in the larynx. These include:

• allergic reactions;
• epiglottitis;
• congenital stridor;
• the appearance of a tumor;
• bronchial asthma;
• abscess of the occipital type.

In order to properly diagnose, when the primary symptoms appear, parents must show the kid to the attending specialist. Only on the basis of a series of studies can the doctor be able to make an accurate diagnosis and distinguish the false croup from the true one associated with diphtheria. As a rule, a comprehensive survey is conducted, which includes the following aspects:

• visual inspection;
• delivery of bacterial cultures and blood tests;
• auscultation of the lungs;
• rhinoscopy;
• X-ray;
• otoscopy;
• pharyngoscopy.

Features of therapy and first aid

When an attack occurs, parents should take immediate action before the ambulance arrives, in particular:

• soothe the baby;
• put your head on a sublime object (pillow);
• give the child plenty of warm drink on an alkaline basis;
• maximally humidify the air in the room;
• use vasoconstrictor nasal drops;
• To remove puffiness, give the child an antihistamine drug;
• with an increase in body temperature, it is imperative to give a febrifuge.

Depending on the form and severity of croup development, the baby may be hospitalized in the infectious disease or intensive care unit. Accurate diagnosis plays a decisive role in the construction of treatment tactics. The basis of the treatment course can be based on taking various pharmacological preparations, in particular:

• antiviral agents;
• glucocorticoids;
• substances for inhalation manipulations;
• antispasmodic drugs;
• drugs that have a bronchodilator effect.

Self-treat false croup in a baby is by no means impossible. Parents can only stop an attack, but after that you should definitely call an ambulance. False croup is a very dangerous disease. Lack of oxygen can cause asphyxiation and even death.

Tips of Dr. Komarovsky

The well-known pediatrician EO Komarovsky wrote a whole monograph on the symptoms and treatment of pseudo-viral croup in children. Here's what the doctor advises to emphasize:

• in no case can not self-medicate;
• when a seizure occurs, first of all you should call an ambulance and take urgent measures to stop it;
• during the development of false cereal, the child should not be given antitussive pharmacological agents;
• the child should be completely restrained, since panic and anxiety aggravate the symptoms of the disease.

Also, the doctor gives his recommendations to parents how to properly treat false croup. At the same time, he urges all fathers and mothers not to self-medicate, and all home manipulations in the case of outpatient treatment of the crumbs under the supervision of a doctor. According to Komarovsky E.O. treatment of false croup should include the following aspects:

• the child must not put mustard bags, make warm foot baths and force him to eat;
• in the room where the baby is located, the air should be too humid and cool;
• inhalation procedures cannot be done using steam;
• the child must be constantly given a warm, abundant drink;
• elevated temperature can be normalized using ibuprofen or Paracetamol tablets;
• when nasal congestion should be used nasal drops, providing a vasoconstrictor effect.

If the parents promptly took all measures to stop the attack and called an ambulance, then the false croup is amenable to quick treatment and does not entail complications. Do not forget that we are fully responsible for the health of our children, so self-medication is inappropriate here. Health to you and your children!