Breathing is very difficult. Stridor is usually present only with crying or coughing. As the disease becomes worse, stridor also occurs when a child is sleeping or relaxed. It is usually part of a cold. Swelling of the vocal cords causes hoarseness.
Stridor occurs as the opening between the vocal cords becomes more narrow.
Expected Course Croup usually lasts for 5 to 6 days and generally gets worse at night. During this time, it can change from mild to severe and back many times. The worst symptoms are seen in children under 3 years of age. The simplest way to provide this is to have your child breathe through a warm, wet washcloth placed loosely over his nose and mouth. In the meantime, have a hot shower running with the bathroom door closed.