Sometimes steroid medication that is prescribed early in the illness helps to ease the severity of the symptoms. A virus is the most common cause of croup. Infected by a virus, cells in the voice box and windpipe react by secreting mucus that narrow these air passages. The secretions dry and thicken, making it even more difficult for your child to breathe. Dissolving the dried secretions with steam is often all that is needed to relieve your child's discomfort.
Children usually outgrow croup as they get older and the windpipe becomes wider.
Children with epiglottitis tend to drool, tilt their heads forward, have a fever and jut their jaw out as they try to breathe. Sometimes what sounds like croup may instead indicate that your child has inhaled a foreign object. If the object blocks the windpipe, your child will have trouble breathing and will need immediate emergency care. Prevention Use a humidifier near your child's bed for several nights after the first attack. Use a cool-mist vaporizer if your child has a fever because warm moist air can raise body temperature.