acute laryngotracheobronchitis

acute laryngotracheobronchitis.

See croup.

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Patient discussion about acute laryngotracheobronchitis.

Q. Is this croup? My one year old son has a terrible cough. Each time he coughs its load and long. I am very worried. Is this croup and if so how is it treated?

A. It could be croup but only a doctor can tell you for sure. Croup is characterized by a loud cough that may sound like the barking of a seal and may be accompanied by fast or difficult breathing and sometimes a grunting noise or wheezing while breathing. At first the child may have cold symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose for a few days and may also have fever. As the upper airway becomes progressively inflamed and swollen, the child may become hoarse, with a harsh, barking cough. Breathing in moist air seems to relieve many of the symptoms. Doctors will also sometimes treat with steroids, which helps with the airway swelling.
Another way to treat it is to try running a hot shower to create a steam-filled bathroom where you can sit with your child for 10 minutes. Sometimes, during cooler months, taking your child outside for a few minutes can help break the attack because the cool air can shrink the swollen tissues lining the airway.