Croup, viral: Which description best matches its presentation?

Croup, viral: Which description best matches its presentation?

• A. Inflammation of the larynx and subglottic airway; parainfluenza or RSV; seal-like bark cough worse at night
• B. Bacterial tracheitis with productive cough
• C. Allergic rhinitis with sneezing
• D. Viral conjunctivitis with tearing

Answer: (A)

Croup is a viral laryngotracheitis where inflammation narrows the larynx and subglottic airway, leading to a distinctive barking seal-like cough and inspiratory stridor. It most commonly results from parainfluenza or RSV and tends to be worse at night, due to airway edema increasing when the child is supine or fatigued. This combination of airway location, viral causes, and the characteristic nocturnal barking cough is what makes this description the best match. By contrast, bacterial tracheitis would present with a more toxic child and a purulent, productive cough; allergic rhinitis features sneezing and nasal symptoms without a barking cough or stridor; viral conjunctivitis involves eye tearing and redness rather than upper-airway cough and stridor.

Croup is a viral laryngotracheitis where inflammation narrows the larynx and subglottic airway, leading to a distinctive barking seal-like cough and inspiratory stridor. It most commonly results from parainfluenza or RSV and tends to be worse at night, due to airway edema increasing when the child is supine or fatigued. This combination of airway location, viral causes, and the characteristic nocturnal barking cough is what makes this description the best match. By contrast, bacterial tracheitis would present with a more toxic child and a purulent, productive cough; allergic rhinitis features sneezing and nasal symptoms without a barking cough or stridor; viral conjunctivitis involves eye tearing and redness rather than upper-airway cough and stridor.