Croup is a condition that affects your upper respiratory airways—the windpipe, bronchial tubes, and vocal cords. With croup technically called laryngotracheobronchitis , the airways swell and narrow, making it uncomfortable—and sometimes difficult—to breathe and producing a characteristic bark-like cough. Croup is usually caused by a virus. While there are many different kinds of viruses that can cause croup, the most common are parainfluenza viruses. There are four strains of these viruses, but the one mostly responsible for croup is parainfluenza virus 1. Croup can be caused by other viruses, including the influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus RSV , the measles virus, or viruses that cause colds.

This material must not be used for commercial purposes, or in any hospital or medical facility. Failure to comply may result in legal action. Medically reviewed by Drugs. Last updated on Feb 3, Croup is a respiratory infection.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. It usually impacts young kids, but in rare cases, adults can develop croup too. A study published in reported on what the authors described as the 15th adult croup case documented in literature.

I suspect the diagnosis as they walk in the door. I can hear them across the ER. Sometimes it can be treated at home. Croup is caused by a viral infection of the voice box or larynx and the lungs. The medical name for croup is laryngotracheobronchiolitis, which means inflammation of the larynx voice box , trachea windpipe , and bronchioles airways of the lungs.