Croup is a condition caused by a viral infection. The virus leads to swelling of the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea). This swelling makes the airway narrower, so it is harder to breathe. Children with croup develop a harsh, barking cough and may make a noisy, high-pitched sound when they breathe in (stridor).
Croup mostly affects children between six months and five years old, but it can affect older
children. Some children get croup several times.
Croup can get worse quickly. If your child is having problems breathing, seek urgent medical attention.
Croup often begins without warning, in the middle of the night. The symptoms are often
worse at night, and are at their
worst on the second or third night of the illness. The signs and symptoms of croup may
last for three to four days; however,
a cough may linger for up to three weeks.
Croup usually begins like a normal cold, e.g. fever, runny nose and cough.
Your child's cough will change to become harsh and barking and might sound like a seal.
Your child's voice may be hoarse.
When your child breathes in, they may make a squeaky, high-pitched noise, which is called stridor.
In severe cases of croup, the skin between the child’s ribs or under their neck may suck in when they breathe, and they may struggle to breathe.
You should call 000 for an ambulance immediately if:
your child is struggling to breathe
your child looks very sick and becomes pale and drowsy
your child’s lips are blue in colour
your child starts to drool or can’t swallow.
You should see a doctor if:
your child is under six months old and has signs and symptoms of croup
your child's breastbone or the skin between their ribs sucks when they breathe in
your child has stridor when at rest
your child is very distressed, or their symptoms are getting worse
you are worried for any other reason.
If your child has mild croup that lasts for more than four days, or if stridor returns after
your child has recovered from croup, take them to see a doctor.
Your doctor may prescribe steroids (e.g. prednisolone or dexamethasone) to be taken by mouth.
The steroids help
reduce the swelling in the airway, which will make breathing easier. Antibiotics do not work
on viruses and are
not given to children with croup.
If your child has severe croup, they will need to stay in hospital, where they will be closely watched.
A mild attack of croup is when your child has the harsh, barking cough but does not have
stridor when
they are calm and settled, and they are not struggling to breathe. No medical treatment
is necessary for
mild croup, or the virus that has caused it. You can usually manage mild croup at home
with the following care:
Keep your child calm, as breathing is often more difficult when upset – the more a child is distressed, the worse their symptoms can become. Try sitting quietly, reading a book, or watching TV.
If your child has a fever and is irritable, you may give them paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Croup often becomes worse at night. Many children will be more settled if someone stays with them.
A mild attack of croup is when your child has the harsh, barking cough but does not have
stridor when
they are calm and settled, and they are not struggling to breathe. No medical treatment
is necessary for
mild croup, or the virus that has caused it. You can usually manage mild croup at home
with the following care:
Keep your child calm, as breathing is often more difficult when upset – the more a child is distressed, the worse their symptoms can become. Try sitting quietly, reading a book, or watching TV.
If your child has a fever and is irritable, you may give them paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Croup often becomes worse at night. Many children will be more settled if someone stays with them.
Even though not all children get croup when infected by the virus, the virus that has
caused the croup can be spread easily
from person to person by coughing and sneezing. If your child has croup, you should keep
them away from school and child care
while they are unwell so that they don’t spread the virus that is causing the croup.
Regularly washing hands thoroughly can
help prevent the spread of viruses.
If you have concerns, you should always consult your medical professional.
If your child is having problems breathing, seek urgent medical attention.