A viral infection that may cause obstruction of the upper airway in a child is called which condition?

• A. Asthma
• B. Croup
• C. Epiglottitis
• D. Bronchitis

Answer: (B)

Viral infection that causes obstruction of the upper airway in a child is most often croup (laryngotracheobronchitis). It happens when a virus inflames the larynx and trachea, narrowing the upper airway and producing a barking or brassy cough, hoarseness, and often inspiratory stridor. This pattern, especially in younger children and sometimes worse at night, is classic for croup and reflects the subglottic swelling that blocks airflow at the upper airway.

Epiglottitis, by contrast, is typically a rapid, severe illness from bacteria, with drooling, high fever, and a preference for sitting up and leaning forward; it’s an emergency and not the viral upper-airway obstruction described here. Asthma involves lower airway hyperreactivity with wheezing rather than a barking cough and prominent upper-airway symptoms. Bronchitis focuses on the bronchi and cough without the characteristic upper-airway obstruction and stridor.