A 1-year-old infant has biphasic stridor, barking cough and difficulty in breathing since 3-4 days. He has high-grade fever and leukocyte count is increased. Which of the following would not be a true statement regarding the clinical condition of the child?

CROUP (laryngotracheitis and laryngotracheobronchitis) Management Once the diagnosis of croup is made, mist therapy, coicosteroids and epinephrine are the usual treatments. Since croup is chiefly viral in etiology, antibiotics play no role. Mist therapy (warm or cool) is thought to reduce the severity of croup by moistening the mucosa and reducing the viscosity of exudates, making coughing more productive. For patients with mild symptoms, mist therapy may be all that is required and can be provided at home. For more severe cases, fuher intervention may be required like oxygen inhalation by mask, racemic epinephrine given by nebulizer, coicosteroids and intubation or tracheostomy.