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Information for parents and carers.

 

What is Croup?

Croup is a viral infection which affects the airways to the lungs (the bronchi), windpipe (trachea) and voice box (larynx), causing them to swell and therefore narrow.

It usually affects babies and young children under 6. Many children will have 2 or more episodes of croup in their childhood. However, as children become older they have firmer and wider airways and therefore croup is less common.

It is most common in autumn and winter, and more prevalent in boys than girls.

 

Symptoms of croup.

 Symptoms are usually quite acute (sudden onset) and depend upon the severity of the illness. Symptoms of croup often appear worse at night, peaking in severity at 1-3 days. A mild cough may persist for a week or longer.

Mild to moderate symptoms include…

• A barking cough
• Hoarseness
• A stridor (high-pitched breath sounds)
• An increased rate of breathing
• A sore throat and runny nose
• Fever

 

Management of croup at home.

Most cases of croup are mild, and will get better on their own without treatment. Some children are given a steroid medication (Dexamethasone) and sent home following a period of observation. At which time you should…

• Reassure your child in order for them to stay calm – croup worsens when distressed
• Encourage oral fluids
• Give them paracetamol  as required
• Coughing spasms may be relieved by sudden exposure to cold air

Do not:

• Put anything in your child’s mouth to look at their throat
• Give your child cough medicines – these will dry the mucus and make the airways even smaller.

 

When to see a Doctor.

You should seek further advice if ….

• Your child has a temperature of 39C and above, looking ill or distressed
• Stridor, even when resting (high-pitched breath sounds)
• Increased drooling
• Has sucking in of the skin between and/or below ribs, in the pit of the stomach or at the base of the throat when breathing in
• Or you become more concerned

Please do not hesitate to contact the nurse or hospital doctor when within your 72 hours open access, or contact your health visitor or GP for further advice outside of this time.