Tonia Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 This kid never gets sick beyond the occasional winter cold, so when she finally does get sick it always freaks me out! Last night before bed dd (age 7) complained of a scratchy throat. Around 3:30 she woke up with a horrible sounding cough and wheezing for breath. We took her outside and that seemed to help with her breathing. She still sounded sort of wheezy for awhile but when she went back to bed her breathing sounds were almost normal. Now she feels fine - her voice is hoarse and when she coughs it has a "productive" sound to it. Does she have croup? Should I expect another episode tonight? Should I call the doctor? I was planning to call last night but now she seems fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Sounds like croup. We've had a lot of it here. The doctor told us that croup is the same virus that shows up as laryngitis in older kids/adults. It's just that when the airways are smaller, the inflammation can cause more breathing problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Could very well be. She is a bit old for it though, but perhaps if she is small she could still have issues with it. My kids have gone through croup twice and there really is no treatment for it unless they get really bad because it is caused by a strain of the flu. I would get a humidifier going and just repeat what you did last night if there is a problem again tonight. My 3rd got croup pretty bad when she was 2 months old and I even took her to the ER which we waited at for over 3 hrs before being seen by a jerk Dr. that told me she had a cold. He didn't even mention croup. I ended up taking her to our regular Dr. a few days later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 (edited) Yes, it sounds like croup. It flares at night when the body's cortisol levels decrease during sleep. I would be on the watch for it again tonight, and maybe one more after this, just in case. Our ped gave us a list of signs to look for to recognize when a trip to the emergency room was warranted. I can't remember the details now, but you could call your ped office if you'd like to know more. In the ER my then 9 month old was given a steroid shot to bring down the inflammation of the airway. I don't like my kids to take steroids, generally speaking, but... breathing is not optional. You might want to all have a good afternoon nap, just in case. Edited September 22, 2011 by AuntieM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonia Posted September 22, 2011 Author Share Posted September 22, 2011 Thanks, all. She is doing much better - just a bit hoarse - so hopefully it won't be repeated tonight! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I hope the first night was the worst for her and it gets better from now on. Just a word of warning, sometimes the second night is worse than the first, so be prepared. My middle son always gets the worst of it the second night and requires breathing treatments, but he has asthma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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