Croup, Croup, and more Croup

Hannah had croup last week.  It was miserable.  She had a temp of 103 and was coughing like crazy.  I really thought she had strep throat.  So off to urgent care we went.  After shoving a swab down her throat (she did NOT like that), listening to her lungs, and looking in her ears, the doctor heard her cough and immediately said she had croup.  I was shocked.  I didn't think it sounded that "barky" but apparently I don't know what a seal sounds like.  She had to drink some prednisone and she was good to go.  That stuff was awesome!  Within an hour her cough sounded more dry but she was talking like a smoker.  Apparently croup also causes hoarseness. Who knew?  Well, google did but I didn't look that up until later.

Her fever continued on Friday but by Saturday she was much better.  No more fever, just coughing.  Pretty soon Noah started coughing too.  I read online that croup hits kids from 18months-5 years old.  Guess how old Noah is?  Yep, he JUST turned 18months.  After a few days of his coughing, he started to bark.  And I noticed stridor in his breathing (that's when he breaths in and it sounds like he's struggling a bit.   Kinda like trying to get a full breath through a straw).  I really didn't want to make another trip to urgent care since the wait is eternal so I called one of those grocery store quick care clinics.  They're supposed to be able to treat all the easy stuff, right?  Apparently croup isn't as easy as a diagnosis as one would have thought.  When I asked the nurse if she could diagnose and treat croup, she laughed and said no.  OK...a simple no would have been just fine!!  At least I called first!  Then as I was looking for other places I could take him at 7pm on a Thursday, I saw that our pediatrician's office is open until 8pm during the week.  When did this happen??  I must have missed that memo.  So I called and Noah could be seen still that night.  Maybe the fact that I basically told the secretary Noah needed to be seen and didn't give her much of a choice.  When my kids are sick, mama bear comes out to play.

Of course when we're waiting for the doctor, Noah's acting completely fine and laughing at everything.  The secretary kept shooting me mean looks.  I ignored her like a good mother does.  Finally the doctor came to see Noah.  Yep, he had croup.  So more prednisone for him.  The doctor asked if I'd rather Noah had the liquid form to drink or a shot.  Uh...liquid please!  Who wants to give their child pain!?  I understand his point that Noah may just throw the medicine back up but hello!  Let's try the liquid first.  He did fine.  Just sucked it down then giggled.

He's doing much better now.  Both kids still have a cough but we've had the cool mist humidifiers cranked up in their rooms so they can breath easier.  I think there will be mold soon from all the moisture :)

However, I do want to know who chose the name "croup"?  It seriously sounds like an STD.  Like, "my croup is acting up again".  I feel like I need to whisper when I tell people my kids had croup.  It makes me feel dirty.