Introduction
The pseudocroup is an unspecified inflammation of the larynx in which hoarseness, barking cough up to respiratory distress occurs. The dreaded croup attack is not a disease in itself, but a possible side effect or complication of acute laryngitis (acute subglottic laryngitis). The real croup, diphtheria, is virtually non-existent, especially in western countries, thanks to broad vaccinations.
However, the diphtheria, the true croup, is highly infectious and its symptoms are in most cases fully developed. It behaves differently with the Pseudokrupp. “Croup” (from the Scottish) means hoarseness, which describes the main symptom of a typical pseudo croup best.
To speak only of hoarseness in the real croup would be pure understatement, whereby the naming can lead to irritations. Thanks to broad inoculations as good as no longer available. Particularly to delimit here, however, is that the diphtheria, the real croup, is highly contagious and its symptoms come to the full expression in most cases.
It behaves differently with the Pseudokrupp. “Croup” (from the Scottish) means hoarseness, which describes the main symptom of a typical pseudo croup best. To speak only of hoarseness in the real croup would be pure understatement, whereby the naming can lead to irritations.
mucosa. While the allergic pseudocroup, which often turns into asthma in later childhood, cannot be transmitted to other persons, the pathogens of viral or bacterial laryngitis can very well be transmitted. Whether a seizure occurs depends on the above-mentioned factors and cannot be generalized.
As with other diseases of the upper airways, laryngitis is most likely to be transmitted via infectious droplets. As an adult, our immune system has already become acquainted with some pathogens, so that a renewed infection of the larynx may only cause mild symptoms with hoarseness and slight fever. In a small child, however, the same pathogen can lead to considerably worse symptoms, up to a seizure with shortness of breath. The most common pathogens responsible for an infectious croup are influenza and parainfluenza viruses, adenoviruses and rhinoviruses, but also others such as herpes or measles viruses.
