Infectious conditions with croup-like symptoms:
(1) epiglottitis
(2) laryngeal diphtheria
(3) retropharyngeal abscess
(4) peritonsillar abscess
(5) bacterial tracheitis
Causative bacteria may include:
(1) Hemophilus influenzae
(2) Streptococcus pneumonia
(3) Group A beta hemolytic Streptococcus and other species
(4) Staphylococcus aureus
(5) Moraxella catarrhalis
(6) Corynebacterium diphtheriae and related species
Noninfectious conditions with croup-like symptoms:
(1) foreign body aspiration (tracheal, esophageal)
(2) angioneurotic edema
(3) allergic reaction
(4) toxic inhalation
Reasons to consider one of these diagnoses:
(1) failure to respond to standard croup therapy
(2) fever
(3) toxic-like appearance
(4) outbreak or high prevalence of an infection in a population
(5) inadequate vaccination to diphtheria or Hemophilus influenzae
(6) history of a chewing or swallowing something just prior to onset
(7) sudden onset
(8) presence of urticaria or other signs of an allergic reaction
(9) non-barking cough
