Croup is a common respiratory illness among young children, and recent studies have shown that omicron has been causing croup-like symptoms among children who test positive for COVID-19.

Our AFC Urgent Care Louisville team further explains more about croup and its connection with the omicron variant below, so keep reading!

What Is Croup?

Croup is a respiratory infection that almost exclusively affects children between the ages of 3 months and 5 years. 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. We’ve listed the respiratory infection’s most common symptoms 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”

How Is Croup Connected to Omicron?

Experts state that since the omicron variant has showed to settle in the upper respiratory system in most cases, it can cause swelling, thus causing croup among young children. Not all omicron cases among young children cause croup-like symptoms, but some do.

In fact, according to experts, croup could be a common manifestation of the virus in the future, with this variant and others. Even so, it’s always important to encourage your child to take steps to protect him or herself from getting sick, and we’ve listed some ways to do so 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.

Want to learn more about croup and the omicron variant? Our AFC Urgent Care Louisville team can provide the info you need to know! Don’t hesitate to visit or call us today.