Just when I thought Justin would be having an absence-free school week last week, he came down with non-stop cough on Thursday night and with an odd sound at that, which gave him difficulty breathing and sleeping and which caused him to vomit several times. I had to nebulize my son, per his pediatrician’s order. This allowed him a few hours’ sleep, but he woke up again at 4am the next day with the same nasty cough.

According to his doctor, the medical term for what Justin experienced is “croup.” Medline Plus says, “croup” is “breathing difficulty accompanied by a ‘barking’ cough. Croup, which is swelling around the vocal cords, is common in infants and children and can have a variety of causes.” Some of the causes include bacteria, allergies, and inhaled irritants. Acid reflux from the stomach can also trigger croup.

Justin’s doctor prescribed an antibiotic, a cough medicine, a nasal spray (because he also has colds), and nebulizer medications.