Can croup cause a fever?

A child with croup may have a hoarse voice, a barking cough and a harsh sound when breathing in. Fever may occur alongside these symptoms, but its presence or absence does not by itself show how severely the airway is narrowed. Croup is commonly triggered by a virus and often begins after cold-like symptoms. Read more about [Croup](/conditions/croup/) and [Fever](/symptoms/fever/).

Keep your child calm, because crying can make noisy breathing more noticeable. Watch the effort of breathing, alertness, drinking and urination rather than focusing only on the temperature.

Offer frequent sips of fluid and allow rest. Keep your child upright and comfort them during coughing episodes. Use fever medicine only according to the product instructions and your child’s age or weight guidance; do not combine products unless a clinician or pharmacist has explained how.

Avoid steam inhalation, which can burn children and does not reliably open the airway. A clinician may assess whether treatment such as a steroid or [Nebuliser Treatment](/treatments/acute-and-urgent-care/nebuliser-treatment/) is appropriate. A [Child Health Consultation](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/child-health-consultation/) can help when symptoms are new, persistent or difficult to judge.

Seek emergency help if your child is struggling to breathe, the skin between the ribs or at the neck pulls in, the lips look blue or grey, or the child is unusually sleepy and hard to wake. Seek urgent assessment for noisy breathing while resting, drooling with difficulty swallowing, or inability to drink.

A mild barking cough without breathing difficulty can often be monitored, but contact a clinician if symptoms worsen, fever persists, or you are unsure how your child is breathing. Information about [Cough](/symptoms/cough/) may help you describe the pattern.

Ask whether the breathing sound is stridor, whether your child needs examination today, which fever medicine is suitable, and what changes should prompt an immediate return.