Croup scoring systems Croup scoring systems have been developed to aid in grading the severity of infection. Factors in such scoring systems include stridor, retractions, air entry, color, and level of consciousness. Croup scoring systems were developed prior to the advent of pulse oximetry. Pulse oximetry may be beneficial in grading severity of illness, response to management, and disposition. Viral cultures usually require 4-7 days to yield results, which limit their clinical applicability in the acute setting.
Cultures can be helpful from an epidemiological standpoint.
Lateral soft tissue films of the neck are normal in the majority of cases. Lateral neck films can be useful if the diagnosis is unclear, especially if conditions such as foreign body aspiration, retropharyngeal abscess, or epiglottitis are in the differential diagnosis. Management of croup depends on the severity of disease. Prehospital care Prehospital care includes fever control and attempts to alleviate respiratory symptoms and patient anxiety. Respiratory symptoms commonly improve with benign measures such as sitting in a bathroom with a steaming shower and allowing vapor droplets to soothe inflamed airways.