COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES AND CONDITIONS

CROUP

Croup, a viral illness causing swelling around the vocal cords, is characterized by a barking, seal-like cough. Other symptoms can include sore throat, moderate fever, hoarse voice, and noisy breathing (stridor) at night. It usually lasts 3-5 days and is worse at night.

HOME CARE

• Give her acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, etc.)
• Encourage her to drink lots of fluids.
• Elevate the head of her bed.
• Use a cool mist vaporizer at night.
• If your child is one year or older, warm 1/2 cup of ReaLemon in the microwave and add honey to taste. This works great!
• Give her an expectorant cough syrup according to label directions.

If your child awakens at night, first turn the shower on "hot" and sit in the steam of the bathroom for 15-20 minutes. If she still hasn't found relief, spend 15- 20 minutes in the cool night air by driving in the car with the.window open or by walking outside with the child.

CALL YOUR DOCTOR DURING OFFICE HOURS IF:

• Stridor at rest in the daytime.
• Stridor at night after trying the above two steps without success.
• A high fever.
• Excessive drooling.
• Trouble breathing due to RSV, asthma, etc.