The word "croup," which refers to a respiratory condition, is spelled with the letters C-R-O-U-P. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is /kruːp/. The /k/ represents the hard "k" sound at the beginning of the word, while the "oo" sound is represented by the long /uː/ vowel sound. The final /p/ sound is also pronounced distinctly in the word. It is important to spell and pronounce this word correctly in order to effectively communicate about the condition it refers to.
Croup is a common childhood respiratory illness characterized by a harsh, barking cough and difficulty breathing. It primarily affects infants and young children, usually between the ages of six months and three years, although it can occur in older children as well. Croup is typically caused by a viral infection, most commonly the parainfluenza virus, which leads to inflammation and swelling of the airways.
The main symptoms of croup include a distinctive cough that sounds like a seal or barking, a hoarse or raspy voice, and difficulty breathing. The child's breathing may become stridor, a high-pitched sound heard when inhaling, and they may exhibit signs of respiratory distress such as rapid breathing and retractions, in which the muscles between the ribs and above the sternum sink in with each breath.
Treatment for croup is usually focused on managing the symptoms and supporting the child's breathing. This can involve providing humidified air to help relieve cough and breathing difficulties, administering oral or inhaled corticosteroids to reduce airway inflammation, and using over-the-counter pain relievers to alleviate discomfort such as a sore throat or fever. In severe cases, hospitalization may be required for close monitoring and additional interventions.
Overall, croup is a common respiratory condition in children characterized by a barking cough and difficulty breathing due to swelling and inflammation of the airways. With appropriate treatment and management, most cases of croup resolve on their own within a few days to a week.
• A disease very fatal to children, arising from inflammation of the upper part of the windpipe caused by cold.
• The hinder part or buttocks of a horse; the place behind the saddle.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "croup" originated from the Scottish dialect, particularly in the 18th century. It is derived from the word "crupp", which means "a hoarse cough or choking sensation". The term was later adopted into Middle English as "croup" and has remained in use to describe a respiratory illness characterized by a harsh, barking cough.