Croup is an infection in the upper airways, most commonly caused by a virus. While less common, a bacterial or fungal infection can also lead to croup.
In general, croup in adults tends to be rare. This is mostly because they have larger airways than children.
When adults are affected by croup, the symptoms tend to be more severe. The reasons for this are not entirely known.
What is croup?
When a virus such as the parainfluenza virus, a bacteria, or a fungus infects the upper airways, it can result in croup. The upper airways include the windpipe, the airway passages to the lungs, and the voice box.
The infection causes inflammation in this area. This swelling makes it difficult for air to pass through these parts of the respiratory system, resulting in difficulty breathing and a loud cough.
It mostly affects children ages 3 months to 5 years and is more common in the winter, like a cold.
Croup in adults
A person can develop croup by breathing in droplets from coughs or sneezes from someone with the infection.
Croup-causing viruses can also survive on surfaces, so if you touch an infected object and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, you could also contract it. This is why adults caring for children who have croup are at a higher risk of infection.
Due to the rarity of croup in adults, research is quite limited. Some older research from 2000 found that many of the upper respiratory tract symptoms were much worse in adults than in children, and labored breathing was more of an issue. A 2017 study of an adult with croup agreed that viral croup is more severe in adults.
On the other hand, another 2017 study found that bacterial croup in adults is generally milder than in children.
Croup generally lasts about 1 week in children, but recovery can take longer for adults. One study has reported that adults have a longer duration of hospitalization — an average of 9.6 days in adults versus 3.9 days for children. Due to this, it’s important to treat adult croup more aggressively.
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Symptoms
Croup is characterized by a loud, distinct cough, often described as a barking cough. This cough worsens at night, when you are lying flat. Other common symptoms include:
Symptoms result from the swelling of the infected airways. As adults have larger airways, the swelling does not typically affect them, which is why croup remains so rare in this group.
Treatment
Croup can become serious, especially in adults. It is important for a healthcare professional to diagnose croup early on before it can progress. They may choose a more progressive treatment in adults than children.
Some common treatment routes include an oral corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone (Maxidex) or prednisolone (Millipred). A doctor may also prescribe steroids administered via a nebulizer (a machine that lets you inhale medicines) to open the airways.
In more severe cases, people require hospital admission, and a breathing tube is placed in the windpipe to assist with breathing. A doctor may advise pain relief medications to lessen fever and reduce discomfort in the airways.
Adults recuperating at home should make sure to drink plenty of fluids, get plenty of rest, and try to stay in an upright position. A humidifier to keep the air moist can also help manage symptoms.
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Croup is an infection of the upper airways caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungus. It is often rare in adults as the inflammation does not tend to affect larger airways.
However, croup in adults can often be more severe than in children. Adults who suspect they may have croup should seek a diagnosis and medical care as soon as possible. The earlier you can begin treatment with steroids such as prednisolone, the better.
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