Croup overview: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
|||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
==Historical Perspective== | ==Historical Perspective== | ||
Diptheritic croup reports date back to the Homer-era of Ancient Greece, speculating to have emerged in the 12th century B.C.E. The Viral-based croup was discovered in 1826 by French medical doctor Pierre Bretonneau. Initial therapies included cold water mist to soothe pain as well as tracheotomy for patients with severe cases requiring hospitalization. In the 1970s, nebulized Epinephrine emerged as a therapy. Glucocorticoid therapies emerged in the late 1980s' and 1990's. Preventative therapy emerged with successful Immunization of individuals against diptheritic croup with the development of influenza and diptheria vaccines. | |||
==Pathophysiology== | ==Pathophysiology== | ||
Revision as of 17:40, 23 February 2016
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
|
Croup Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Croup overview On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Croup overview |
Overview
Croup is a respiratory disease which afflicts infants and young children, typically aged between 3 months and 3 years. The respiratory symptoms are caused by inflammation of the larynx and upper airway, with resultant narrowing of the airway.
Historical Perspective
Diptheritic croup reports date back to the Homer-era of Ancient Greece, speculating to have emerged in the 12th century B.C.E. The Viral-based croup was discovered in 1826 by French medical doctor Pierre Bretonneau. Initial therapies included cold water mist to soothe pain as well as tracheotomy for patients with severe cases requiring hospitalization. In the 1970s, nebulized Epinephrine emerged as a therapy. Glucocorticoid therapies emerged in the late 1980s' and 1990's. Preventative therapy emerged with successful Immunization of individuals against diptheritic croup with the development of influenza and diptheria vaccines.
Pathophysiology
The viral infection that causes croup leads to swelling of the larynx, trachea, and large bronchi due to infiltration of white blood cells (especially histiocytes, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and neutrophils). Swelling produces airway obstruction which, when significant, leads to dramatically increased work of breathing and the characteristic turbulent, noisy airflow known as stridor.
Causes
Croup is most often caused by parainfluenza virus, primarily types 1 and 3, but other viral and possibly bacterial infections can also cause it.
Epidemiology and Demographics
Croup is most often caused by parainfluenza virus, primarily types 1 and 3, but other viral and possibly bacterial infections can also cause it. It is most common in the fall and winter but can occur year-round, with a slight predilection for males.
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Viral croup is a self-limited disease, symptoms lasting up to 7 days. It can very rarely result in death from complete airway obstruction.
Treatment
Primary Prevention
Wash your hands frequently and avoid close contact with those who have a respiratory infection.
The diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae (Hib), and measles vaccines protect children from some of the most dangerous forms of croup.
References