Croup is very common among young children. It is characterized by its cough that sounds very hoarse, like the barking of a dog. The reason for this unique coughing sound is that is causes the respiratory system, especially the trachea, larynx and bronchial tube to inflame and tighten up. This results in the unique sounding cough, as well as a variety of other symptoms, including a very hoarse and raspy voice. There is also a noise, that isn’t wheezing, but a bit deeper, when a child with croup is breathing.

Croup usually begins like a normal cold with the fever, slight cough and stuffy nose. However, it takes up to 72 hours for croup to develop. When kids have croup, they’re symptoms can subside or even different during the day when they are moving around. However, at night, the symptoms return and many children awaken during the night to violent coughing fits. There isn’t much to do for these violent fits, but you can administer children’s cough medicine which sometimes helps to ease the cough and gets the child in the right frame of mind.