Has anyone heard of "Croup". otherwise maybe known as Whooping Cough? How serious is it to 2 yr. olds?

She also has a rash caused from having strepe throat also...

peapod is correct. Croup is viral laryngotracheitis and is a self limited disease which responds to cold air. It is not uncommon to get in the winter time, so frequently the drive to the doctor's office or ER in the cold relieves the symptoms leaving you feeling like a fool for bringing a largely healthy child to the doctor especially when he tells you to take him outside or put his head in the freezer and let him breathe the cold mist.
Whooping cough is caused by a bacterium which forms a membrane over the trachea and prevents adequate respirations. It can be fatal if untreated and is easily vaccinated against. If your child is up to date on vaccines, it is not a likely diagnosis, because it is required.
Laryngospasms which are caused by a different bacteria can also be fatal and is also treated by vaccination for HIB. If your child hasn't had these The disease may mimic croup at first, but is associated with very high temps and a croupy cough which rapidly progresses and becomes respiratory distress. If you fear either of the last two, have your child checked immediately!!!!!

well i have had this many times but i am not two but it hurts badly so make sure you know that

croup is not whooping cough.....croup is a "barky", tight cough......
CROUP
Signs and Symptoms: Croup is a viral infection of the vocal cords and upper trachea, often associated with a cold. It causes hoarseness, a tight barking cough, and a crowing noise on inspiration. It usually lasts several days (4-6) and is often worse at night.
Treatment: A humidifier or cool mist vaporizer, as well as an increase in clear liquids, helps break up secretions. For spasmodic attacks at night, turn the hot water on full blast in the shower until the room fogs up. Close the door and sit with your child in the room for 10 minutes. During this time, cuddle him and read to him to help him relax. Crying makes croup worse. Also, to break the stridor (crowing), bundle him up and sit outside with him for 10-15 minutes.
Call immediately if: The skin and lips turn blue, there is great difficulty breathing, or your child is drooling and having difficulty swallowing saliva, or if the stridor is unrelieved with mist and cool night air.

very very serious.had this as a kid and so did my daughter,

has she been seen by the doc?, if not call him to the house and get her checked out, maybe she will need to go into hospital into a humidor tent but failing that you need to get a kettle and steam the bathroom..............this REALLY aids her breathing.

Good luck and if not seen a doc GO AT ONCE.....I also believe croup is slightly different to whooping cough same area and both really bad.

Take care and again get her to the docs asap

I had whooping cough 2 summers ago. it sucked. at the peak i was throwing up 5 times a day from coughing, i couldn't run without coughing, i got super tired from coughing, my eyes got blood shot from coughing and i couldn't sleep and some people stop breathing . i was sick for about 3 months. Then i had a temporary asthma like thing for another 9 months. it isnt normally but when young children or old people get it it can be very serious. i have a friend who got it as a baby and his lung collapsed. it sucks.