Which statement regarding croup is correct?

Which statement regarding croup is correct?

• A. Croup is a bacterial lower airway infection.
• B. Croup is a fungal airway disease.
• C. Croup is a viral upper airway infection that may cause stridor.
• D. Croup is an allergic reaction with wheezing.

Answer: (C)

Croup is a viral infection that affects the upper airway, specifically the larynx and subglottic region, causing inflammation and narrowing that leads to inspiratory stridor. This most often occurs in young children after a mild preceding illness and presents with a barky cough and hoarseness. It is not a bacterial infection of the lower airways, nor a fungal airway disease, and it isn’t an allergic reaction with wheezing. The swelling in the upper airway explains the characteristic stridor and cough, which is why describing croup as a viral upper airway infection that may cause stridor is the best answer. Parainfluenza viruses are a common cause, and the typical age range is around 6 months to 3 years.

Croup is a viral infection that affects the upper airway, specifically the larynx and subglottic region, causing inflammation and narrowing that leads to inspiratory stridor. This most often occurs in young children after a mild preceding illness and presents with a barky cough and hoarseness. It is not a bacterial infection of the lower airways, nor a fungal airway disease, and it isn’t an allergic reaction with wheezing. The swelling in the upper airway explains the characteristic stridor and cough, which is why describing croup as a viral upper airway infection that may cause stridor is the best answer. Parainfluenza viruses are a common cause, and the typical age range is around 6 months to 3 years.