Croup
Date issued: November 2024
For review: November 2026
Ref: A-481/NK/Child Health/Croup v2
PDF: Croup.pdf[pdf] 201KB
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.
72 hours open access
Your child has been given 72 hours open access to the children’s assessment unit.
This enables you to contact a nurse/doctor if you are concerned about your child and need advice if the symptoms worsen or continue.
Advice is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 01752 430401 if within your 72 hours open access.
Should your child become unwell once the 72 hours open access has ended then please contact your GP or if necessary the emergency department.
