Croup is an age-old respiratory infection that young children deal with, but it is experiencing a new development this year.

Recently, scientists have found that omicron variant cases among young children have led to cases of croup. While this seems scary, these croup cases have remained as easily treatable as normal.

Our AFC Urgent Care Fountain City team provides further information about croup and its connection with the omicron variant below, so keep reading!

What Is Croup?

Croup is a respiratory infection that is typically caused by a virus. It causes swelling of the airways and vocal cords, which leads to difficulty breathing and a loud cough that sounds like a high-pitched seal or dog bark.

Since croup is most often caused by a virus, it’s contagious. It typically goes away after at least five days, but it can last longer if symptoms persist or intensify. Croup—like most illnesses—gets worse during the fall and winter months, and we’ve listed the symptoms you should be on the lookout for below.

Common Croup Symptoms

• A runny, stuffy nose
• A cough that turns into a “seal’s bark”
• Laryngitis
• Fever
• A whistling sound when breathing, which is often referred to as “stridor”

Does Omicron Cause Croup?

In some cases, yes, it does. Although croup is generally harmless, some omicron cases have led to symptoms of croup, due to the fact that omicron appears to settle in the upper respiratory tract, thus resulting in swelling and inflammation.

While it’s good news that croup is treatable and relatively harmless, it’s still scary for both child and parent to experience. There are things that can help prevent your child from dealing with croup, and we’ve listed them below.

Ways to Prevent Croup

• Make sure your child is frequently washing his or her hands for a least 20 seconds each time.
• Keep your child away from anyone who’s sick.
• Encourage your child to cough or sneeze into his or her elbow.

We hope your family stays healthy and well this winter! If you need general medical care, don’t hesitate to visit our AFC Urgent Care Fountain City team today.