Notification requirement for croup or bronchiolitisNotification is not required. Show
Primary school and children’s services centre exclusion for croup or bronchiolitisSchool exclusion is not required. Infectious agent of croup or bronchiolitisRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza viruses, influenza and adenoviruses are the major causative agents. Parainfluenza type 1 virus is the most common cause of croup (laryngotracheobronchitis) and RSV the most common cause of bronchiolitis. Picornaviruses (rhinoviruses and enteroviruses) and bocavirus have also been isolated from patients with croup. Co-infection with rhinoviruses is particularly frequent. Croup can also be an uncommon complication of measles. Identification of croup or bronchiolitisClinical featuresDisease is generally characterised by fever and one or more systemic reactions, such as chills, headaches, generalised aches, malaise and anorexia in a young child, usually between 6 months and 3 years of age. Gastrointestinal disturbances may also occur. In young children, general features are often not apparent and disease presents with localising signs at various sites in the respiratory tract. CroupCroup is an acute respiratory illness characterised by a distinctive barking cough, hoarseness and inspiratory stridor in a young child. It has a prodrome of fever, runny nose and sore throat. Cough is also common. Inflammation at the subglottic level produces a classic high-pitched inspiratory stridor and a hoarse voice. The larger airways are narrowed by inflammation, resulting in various degrees of shortness of breath and increased respiratory rate. Airway obstruction can progress to indrawing of the intercostal spaces and the soft tissues of the neck, cyanosis and death without urgent treatment. BronchiolitisA 1–7 day prodrome of mild fever, coryza and cough is common with bronchiolitis. Disease can rapidly progress to deepening cough, tachypnoea, restlessness, chest wall retraction, nasal flaring and grunting. Audible wheezing is a characteristic feature. It can be accompanied by paroxysms of coughing, vomiting, dehydration, otitis media and diarrhoea. DiagnosisThe diagnosis of croup and bronchiolitis is usually based on characteristic clinical findings. Serologic diagnosis can be unreliable. Identification of the specific viral agent may be accomplished by isolation in microbiological culture from throat, tracheal and nasal wash specimens, or by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Incubation period of croup or bronchiolitis virusesThe incubation period varies from 1 to 10 days. Public health significance and occurrence of croup or bronchiolitisThere are limited data on the epidemiology of croup and bronchiolitis in Australia. Croup is more common in autumn and affects young children. It peaks in the second year of life. Bronchiolitis is more common in winter and predominantly affects children in the first year of life. Lower respiratory tract infections due to viral agents are significant causes of infant and childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. People with underlying cardiac or pulmonary disease or compromised immune systems are at increased risk for serious complications of RSV infection, such as pneumonia and death. RSV infection among recipients of bone marrow transplants has resulted in high mortality rates. Symptomatic RSV disease can recur throughout life because of the limited protective immunity induced by natural infection. Reservoir of croup or bronchiolitis virusesHumans are the reservoir. Mode of transmission of croup or bronchiolitis virusesRSV is transmitted via oral contact, droplet spread or by contact with hands or fomites soiled by respiratory discharges from an infected person. Period of communicability of croup or bronchiolitisRSV is communicable shortly before and for the duration of active disease. Prolonged shedding of RSV has been documented. Susceptibility and resistance to croup or bronchiolitisEveryone is susceptible to infection. Re-infection with the agents that cause croup is common, but the infection is generally milder. Control measures for croup or bronchiolitisPreventive measuresThere is no vaccine available. Basic hygiene can help limit the spread of many diseases, including croup and bronchiolitis. Control of caseChildren with these diseases should not attend school or childcare centres while unwell. Control of contactsInvestigation of contacts is not necessary, but the diagnosis should be considered in other family or close contacts if they are symptomatic. Control of environmentNot applicable. Outbreak measures for croup or bronchiolitisPublic health action is dependent on the setting in which the case has occurred and is based on an assessment of ongoing risk. The risk for nosocomial transmission of RSV increases during community outbreaks. Nosocomial outbreaks of RSV can be controlled by adhering to contact and respiratory precautions. What is a viral infection in children with a characteristic barking cough?Croup is a respiratory illness characterized by inspiratory stridor, cough, and hoarseness. These symptoms result from inflammation in the larynx and subglottic airway. A barking cough is the hallmark of croup.
What is an acute respiratory infection in children and infants characterized by a barking cough and stridor?The term croup now generally refers to an acute respiratory tract illness characterized by a distinctive barking cough, hoarseness, and inspiratory stridor in a young child, usually between 6 months and 3 years old.
What is the name for an acute viral infection usually in infants causing a barking cough?Croup refers to an infection of the upper airway, which obstructs breathing and causes a characteristic barking cough.
What type of virus causes croup?Parainfluenza virus. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
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