Final answer:
Croup, or laryngotracheobronchitis, is a respiratory condition in children marked by an inflammatory barking cough. It affects the larynx, trachea, and bronchi, differentiating it from whooping cough, which is bacterial and features a 'whoop' sound upon inhalation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term croup, also known as laryngotracheobronchitis, has historical origins in Old English, which meant to cry out loud. In a medical context, croup refers to an acute respiratory condition that is seen predominantly in young children. It is characterized by a distinctive barking cough caused by inflammation of the larynx (vocal cords), trachea (windpipe), and large bronchi (bronchitis) due to viral infection. Symptoms of croup can include a hoarse voice, noisy breathing called stridor, and a harsh, barking cough. The condition can lead to difficulty breathing as the airways narrow. It is different from other cough-causing conditions like pertussis (commonly known as whooping cough), which is caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium and distinguished by uncontrollable coughing fits and a characteristic 'whoop' sound during inhalation. Laryngitis, another condition affecting the larynx, involves inflammation of the larynx, but without the same distinct cough as croup.