A toddler fights for his life after his cough turned into life threatening

News24xx.com - Cough is considered as common and harmless disease for many people. So many people ignore about this disease. But, it's more better, if from now on you should be more careful if your child has a prolonged cough.

Do not let your children got bad experience.

Reuben Humphreys, 3-year-old was admitted to intensive care at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary after his cough took a deadly turn. Reuben’s Dad told the: "Within 24 hours he went from a happy little boy running around on holiday to being in intensive care. I’m a dad and I had never even heard of croup."

Croup is one type of respiratory tract infection that commonly experienced by children aged six months to three years but can also attack older children.

Croup is generally caused by a virus that infects the larynx or voice box and trachea or windpipe, to take the air intake into the lungs. Infections of the upper respiratory tract result in typical coughing sounds such as barking.

Kids with croup have a virus that makes their airways swell. They have a barking cough and a raspy voice, and make a high-pitched, squeaky noise when they breathe.

Reuben’s parents brought the youngster to a walk-in centre when his cough croup worsened before he was rushed to hospital.

Just days before, Reuben had been enjoying a family holiday to the Lake District with his parents. Luckily, the three-year-old is beginning to show signs of improvement.

So, call your doctor or get immediate medical care if your child:

1. has trouble breathing, including very fast or labored breathing
2. too out of breath to talk or walk
3. has pulling in of the neck and chest muscles when breathing
4. has stridor that is getting worse
5. is pale or bluish around the mouth
6. is drooling or has trouble swallowing
7. is very tired or sleepy or hard to awaken
8. dehydrated