What should you know about croup respiratory infection?

Croup commonly follows cold-like symptoms and affects the voice box and nearby upper airway. Swelling changes the sound of both the cough and the breathing. Symptoms may become more noticeable at night or when a child cries. Most people with croup have a barking cough, but the severity depends on breathing effort, the sound at rest, alertness, and ability to drink rather than on the cough alone. Fever can occur, although it may be absent.

Keep the child rested, upright, and as calm as possible. Offer small drinks often and monitor whether urination and alertness remain usual. Reduce exposure to smoke and strong scents. Do not use hot steam or place a child over boiling water. A clinician can listen to the airway and decide whether an anti-inflammatory medicine is appropriate. Severe symptoms may need observation, oxygen, or nebuliser treatment in an urgent-care setting.

Get emergency help for persistent noisy breathing while resting, visible sucking in at the ribs or neck, blue or grey lips, inability to swallow fluids, drooling, exhaustion, or a child who becomes difficult to wake. Seek prompt medical advice if symptoms are progressing, fever is accompanied by marked illness, or the child has a history of airway or breathing problems. Keep the child upright while arranging care.

Ask which signs show that the infection is affecting breathing, whether your child needs treatment today, how to monitor overnight, and when normal activities can resume.