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Myth: Cool mist is an effective therapy in the management of croup

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2015

James E. Colletti
James E. Colletti*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, and Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minn
*
Assistant Residency Director, Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First St. SW, Rochester MN 55905 USA; [email protected]

Extract

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Croup is the most common infectious cause of acute airway obstruction in children between 1 and 6 years of age, accounting for 90% of cases of stridor. The majority of cases of croup are caused by parainfluenza and occur during the late fall and winter. Mist has been a mainstay for croup since the 19th century and, even today, many emergency departments (EDs) routinely begin cool mist therapy for patients with croup. Further therapy of croup typically includes nebulized racemic epinephrine and corticosteroids.

Keywords

croupcool mist
Type
Medical Mythology • Mythes médicaux
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 6 , Issue 5 , September 2004 , pp. 357 - 358
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2004

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