A respiratory illness, usually in children, that causes a barking cough and difficulty breathing, often from viral infection.
Of Scottish origin, possibly from the verb 'croup' meaning 'to cry out.' First recorded in medical use in the late 1700s; the word may come from the harsh, seal-like sound of the cough.
Croup sounds absolutely terrifying—like a baby seal barking—but it's usually milder than it sounds and responds quickly to steam and cool air. It's mostly dangerous in a specific age range (6 months to 3 years), so the body's vulnerability changes dramatically as you grow.
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