A viral upper respiratory infection with a bark-like cough and inspiratory stridor is most consistent with which condition?

A viral upper respiratory infection with a bark-like cough and inspiratory stridor is most consistent with which condition?

• A. Pneumonia
• B. Epiglottitis
• C. Shingles
• D. Croup

Answer: (D)

A viral upper respiratory infection presenting with a bark-like cough and inspiratory stridor points to croup (laryngotracheobronchitis). The barky cough comes from irritation of the larynx, and the inspiratory stridor reflects narrowing of the subglottic airway due to viral inflammation. This pattern is most common in young children and is less associated with the high fever and drooling you’d expect with epiglottitis, or with the chest findings typical of pneumonia. Shingles wouldn’t cause an acute barky cough or inspiratory stridor. So the combination of a viral URI with a distinctive bark and stridor best fits croup.

A viral upper respiratory infection presenting with a bark-like cough and inspiratory stridor points to croup (laryngotracheobronchitis). The barky cough comes from irritation of the larynx, and the inspiratory stridor reflects narrowing of the subglottic airway due to viral inflammation. This pattern is most common in young children and is less associated with the high fever and drooling you’d expect with epiglottitis, or with the chest findings typical of pneumonia. Shingles wouldn’t cause an acute barky cough or inspiratory stridor. So the combination of a viral URI with a distinctive bark and stridor best fits croup.