Which respiratory condition presents with a distinctive barking cough and stridor?

The condition characterized by a distinctive barking cough and stridor is croup, also known as laryngotracheobronchitis. This respiratory illness typically affects young children and is often caused by viral infections, most commonly parainfluenza viruses. The barking cough is likened to the sound of a seal, which is a key symptom that distinguishes croup from other respiratory issues. Stridor, which is a high-pitched, wheezing sound that occurs when breathing in, indicates narrowing of the upper airway and can result from inflammation in the larynx and trachea.

In contrast, asthma involves wheezing and shortness of breath due to bronchoconstriction and inflammation in the airways, rather than a barking cough and stridor. Pneumonia typically presents with symptoms like cough (which may be productive), fever, and difficulty breathing, but it does not usually cause the distinctive barking sound associated with croup. Bronchiolitis primarily affects infants and is characterized by wheezing and respiratory distress due to inflammation of the small airways, but again does not produce the barking cough or stridor seen in croup.