Parents in Ireland and in the UK have been urged to take extra precautions with their children over the coming months ahead as the number reported cases of Croup is on the rise.
The warning comes as heath care officials in the UK have seen a sudden surge in children attending their GP’s with the condition which is sometimes known to leave sufferers gasping for breath and struggling to breath.
Health Care officials say parents should be on the look out for the condition which normally presents with symptoms similar to that of a nasty cold or flu.
Although the condition is not normally fatal it can occasionally lead to complications particularly in young children as it can lead to severe respiratory problems with children known to present with deep wheezing and a heavy persistent cough that can lead to choking.
Doctors say parents should take extra care if their child contracts the condition and should contact emergency services if they notice their child choking or struggling to breath whilst coughing.
They also advise parents to look out for the following symptoms which include a sore throat, a runny nose, a fever and a loud high-pitched rasping sound when breathing.
However healthcare officials do say most cases normally clear up within 48 hours and the above complications are fairly rare.
It is believed the sudden rise in cases is down the sudden change in weather with colder and damp conditions arriving earlier than expected