What causes croup?
Q: What causes croup?
A: Croup is caused by a virus.
Q: What are the symptoms of croup?
A: People with croup can have a "barking" cough, stridor (a high-pitched wheezing sound), and hoarseness.
Q: When do croup symptoms often get worse?
A: Croup symptoms often get worse at night.
Q: What is the treatment for croup?
A: Taking steroids by mouth can treat croup. Sometimes epinephrine is used in more severe cases.
Q: Is hospitalization required for croup?
A: Hospitalization is rarely required for croup.
Q: How do doctors diagnose croup?
A: Doctors decide if a person has croup after they have eliminated other possibilities (for example, an airway foreign body). Blood tests, X-rays, and cultures are not needed.
Q: Who is most likely to get croup?
A: About 15% of children between 6 months and 5–6 years old get croup. Teenagers and adults rarely get croup.
