Can common cold cause croup?

Croup often begins with cold symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or fever. Swelling near the voice box and windpipe can then cause a harsh, barking cough, a hoarse voice and a high-pitched sound when breathing in called stridor. Symptoms may sound worse at night or when a child is upset and crying.

Croup is most common in young children because their airways are narrower. The sound of the cough can be alarming, but the key concern is how easily the child is breathing and whether they can drink and stay alert.

Keep the child calm and upright, offer small amounts of fluid, and stay nearby to watch their breathing. Crying can increase airway noise, so use a quiet reassuring voice. Use fever medicine only when suitable for the child’s age and according to the label or medical advice.

Do not use steam or place a child over hot water, because burns can occur and steam has not been shown to reliably ease croup. A clinician may prescribe medicine to reduce airway swelling when symptoms warrant it.

Call emergency services if the child is struggling to breathe, the skin between the ribs or at the neck pulls in, lips look blue or grey, drooling prevents swallowing, or the child is unusually sleepy or difficult to wake. Seek urgent medical advice if stridor occurs while the child is calm, breathing becomes noisier, or drinking falls markedly.

Ask how to recognise stridor at rest, whether your child needs medicine for airway swelling, and how to manage fever or fluids safely. Confirm where to seek help if the cough or breathing changes during the night.