Croup natural history

Overview
Viral croup is a self-limited disease, symptoms lasting up to 7 days. It can very rarely result in death from complete airway obstruction.

Complications

 * Respiratory distress
 * Respiratory arrest
 * Epiglottitis
 * Bacterial tracheitis
 * Atelectasis (collapse of part of the lung)
 * Dehydration

Prognosis
Symptoms may last up to 7 days, but typically peak around the second day of illness. Rarely, croup can be complicated by (or confused with) an acute bacterial tracheitis, which is more dangerous. Other uncommon complications include bacterial tracheitis, pneumonia, and pulmonary edema.