What does croup mean in children?

Croup affects the voice box and windpipe, often during or after a viral cold. The cough may sound harsh or seal-like, and the voice can become hoarse. Some children make a high-pitched noise when breathing in, called stridor. Symptoms may be more noticeable at night or when a child cries. A child with croup can also have a runny nose or fever. The sound and breathing effort matter more than the cough alone when deciding how urgently the child needs help.

Keep the child calm and sitting upright. Offer small drinks if swallowing is easy, and check them regularly, including during sleep. Keep them away from smoke. Do not use steam or give cough medicine unless a clinician specifically advises it. A healthcare professional may prescribe treatment to reduce airway swelling. Follow the plan given and note whether noisy breathing happens only when upset or also when the child is settled.

Get emergency help if the child is struggling for each breath, has chest or neck pulling-in, blue or grey lips, pauses in breathing, severe exhaustion, drooling with trouble swallowing, or cannot drink. Noisy breathing while calm or resting needs urgent assessment. If the child becomes unusually quiet, floppy, confused, or difficult to wake, treat this as an emergency.

Ask how to recognise stridor, how often to check breathing overnight, when prescribed treatment should be used, and what changes mean you should seek emergency help.