Croup: eMedicine Pediatrics Croup, also termed laryngotracheitis or laryngotracheobronchitis, is a viral respiratory tract infection. It is primarily a pediatric illness and, as its alternative names indicate, generally affects the larynx and trachea but may also extend to the bronchi.
Croup and Your Child Croup is an infection that causes the trachea (windpipe) and larynx (voice box) to swell. It is usually part of a cold.
What is croup? A contagious viral infection of the upper and lower airways is known as croup. This infection will usually manifest in children causing difficulty in breathing, especially when inhaling. It can be caused by a number of different viruses.
