CROUP
(Acute Laryngotracheo-bronchitis)
CROUP is mainly a viral infection in about 90% and bacterial infection in 10% of cases. Non-specific irritants like dust and smoke may also cause similar manifestations but difficult to distinguish.
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CLINICAL FEATURES
Onset is acute.
Age: Infants and children.
Fever, cough, hoarseness of voice, sometimes stridor and nasal discharge are present. There may be respiratory obstruction due to thick and tenacious secretion in the tracheobronchial tree or oedema of the laryngeal or subglottic mucosa. Peripheral circulatory failure may develop.
PROGNOSIS
Very grave under 2 years of age.
TREATMENT OF CROUP
Tracheostomy, clearing of respiratory passage by repeated aspiration, oxygen inhalation, antibiotics, (Ampicillin or Amoxycillin) in the usual doses are the treatment.