Croup and whooping cough: how they differ

Croup affects the upper airway and can cause a harsh cough, hoarse voice and noisy breathing, often after cold symptoms. Whooping cough is a contagious bacterial infection that can begin like a mild cold before developing into forceful coughing fits. The whoop may be absent, especially in babies or vaccinated people. A cough alone cannot confirm either condition, and a clinician may need to examine your child and consider the timing, contacts and immunisation history.

Keep a coughing child upright and offer small drinks when they can swallow safely. Reduce contact with babies and pregnant people until a clinician advises whether whooping cough is possible. Do not share prescription medicines. Antibiotic treatment may be offered for suspected whooping cough to reduce spread and may work best when started early; it does not instantly stop the cough. Check that routine childhood immunisations are up to date.

Seek urgent help if a child pauses breathing, turns blue or grey, struggles to breathe, cannot drink, or is difficult to wake after a coughing spell. Arrange prompt assessment for repeated vomiting with cough, a cough that is intensifying, or contact with confirmed whooping cough. A baby with a new cough deserves a low threshold for medical advice.

Ask whether testing or antibiotic treatment is appropriate, how long your child should avoid close contact, and what signs require emergency help. Share the cough pattern, any whoop or vomiting, fever, breathing pauses, and the date of the last childhood immunisation.