Croup vs. Coronavirus: How to differentiate between symptoms

The SARs-CoV-2 infection has given rise to several respiratory symptoms including cough, sore throat, runny nose and shortness of breath. Additionally, fever, fatigue, joint pain are some of the most common symptoms reported in COVID-19 patients.

Additionally, with the onset of the Omicron variant, croup, a respiratory condition, has been widely reported in children, who tested positive with COVID-19. However, croup is also an illness caused by other viral infections. So how can you tell if your croup symptoms are due to COVID or other respiratory illness. Here's everything you need to know.

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Croup is a respiratory illness which involves an infection of the upper airways that mostly affects young kids. It is characterized by a “barking” cough or a stridor, which is an abnormal, high-pitched sound caused by a blockage in a child's upper airway.

Generally, croup is caused by parainfluenza viruses. However, study finds that other viruses such as influenza viruses, adenoviruses, enteroviruses and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can lead to this illness too.

According to a study conducted by researchers at the Universities of Colorado and Northwestern in the US, many children reported an upper airways infection during the Omicron surge.

The study published in the JAMA Pediatrics examined 18,849 children hospitalised with COVID-19, of which about 384 had an upper airway infection. More than one-fifth of the children were said to have developed severe illness, requiring ventilation, vasopressors or even succumbing to it.

“Children with severe upper airway infection are at risk of cardiac arrest from rapid-onset upper airway obstruction. They may require therapies typically provided in intensive care units, including frequent administration of nebulized racemic epinephrine, helium-oxygen mixtures, and intubation,” says Blake Martin of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado’s School of Medicine and a study author.

Another report published by The American Journal of Emergency Medicine found that three children, aged 11 months, 2 years, and 9 years showcased symptoms of croup. All of the kids had tested positive for the SARs-CoV-2 virus.

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Usually, the first signs of croup include a fever, runny nose or a sore throat, which are also some of the classic signs of COVID's Omicron variant.

However, what differentiates it from what most COVID patients experience is a “barking” cough. This can sometimes be accompanied with a stridor, described as a harsh, high pitched sound. A stridor can bring along shallow breathing and flaring of the nostrils.

With COVID-19 the symptoms are more wide-ranging. From something as common as a fever, cough and fatigue, it can progress to a loss of sense of smell and taste, shortness of breath, digestive issues and more.

Another thing to note is that croup is an illness more prevalent during the fall and the winters, while COVID-19 can occur all-year round.

Most cases of croup can be treated and managed at home.

Resting, drinking plenty of water, over-the-counter medications prescribed by doctors can help bring down the symptoms associated with croup.

It is imperative that the children are made comfortable and if the respiratory distress worsens, call for medical help immediately.