How to Diagnose Croup

Croup is a respiratory infection that causes the airways leading to the lungs to become swollen and inflamed. It is most commonly found in children between the ages of six months and three years old. The most distinct symptom of croup is the "barking" cough.

Things You'll Need

• Thermometers

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Instructions

• 1

  Assess the child's health history. Croup usually follows coldlike symptoms, which your child may have had for a few days.

• 2

  Listen to the child's voice. The voice usually becomes hoarse as croup develops.

• 3

  Listen for a cough. A croupy cough is harsh, and sounds similar to a barking seal.

• 4

  Take the child's temperature. Children with croup usually have a fever, but it rarely goes above 102 degrees F.

• 5

  Assess for stridor. This is a raspy sound that a child with croup may make when inhaling.

• 6

  Watch the child's physical appearance. Children with croup may flare their nostrils when breathing. They may also do what is called "retracting" when they breathe. This is when they breathe so hard that their rib muscles retract, and it looks like their chest is being sucked inward.

• 7

  Observe the time of day when symptoms worsen. Croup symptoms are almost always worse at night.