Question

A two-year-old child presents to a pediatric practice with a barking cough and loud wheezing. The parent is alarmed and insists on antibiotics. What is the likely diagnosis, and are antibiotics appropriate?

Option 1: allergies / no, allergies are caused by irritants and are not infections
Option 2: sinusitis / no, most cases are due to viral infections or irritants
Option 3: pneumonia / yes, this can be a life-threatening condition and is often bacterial
Option 4: croup / no, most cases are viral
Option 5: epiglottitis / yes, this is a life-threatening bacterial infection

Answer 1

The likely diagnosis for this child is croup, a viral infection that causes inflammation in the upper airways. Antibiotics are not appropriate for croup as it is usually caused by a viral infection.

Step-by-step explanation:

The likely diagnosis for this two-year-old child with a barking cough and loud wheezing is croup. Croup is a viral infection that causes inflammation in the upper airways, leading to symptoms such as a barking cough and loud wheezing. Antibiotics are not appropriate for croup because it is usually caused by a viral infection, not bacteria. Most cases of croup can be managed with supportive care, such as humidified air and fluids, to help alleviate symptoms.