What is croup?

Also known as: viral croup, spasmodic croup.

Croup refers to a contagious infection of the upper breathing passages (the voice box/larynx, and windpipe/trachea) that irritates, inflames, swells and obstructs the upper airways of babies and young children, between the ages of 3 months and 5 years.

It results in breathing difficulties and a characteristic cough that ends with a high-pitched whistling type noise when the child breathes in.

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Reviewed by: Sunil U Bochare, M.D.

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM