Croup worse at night: what should you know?

Croup is usually a short-lived upper-airway illness in children. Swelling around the voice box can produce a harsh, barking cough and a high-pitched sound when breathing in. Symptoms may fluctuate, and crying can make the noise and effort of breathing more obvious. A cold can precede croup, so a runny nose or mild fever may occur as well.

Keep your child calm and upright on your lap, offer small sips of fluid, and check their breathing regularly. Avoid forcing food or examining the throat if this causes distress. Follow any treatment plan given by a clinician. A child health consultation can assess breathing and decide whether medicine or nebuliser treatment is needed.

Seek urgent medical help if your child has noisy breathing while resting, works hard to breathe, cannot speak or drink normally, becomes unusually sleepy, or develops blue or grey lips. Get prompt advice if symptoms are worsening, the child is drooling, or you are concerned about their breathing. A cough or fever that persists also deserves clinical assessment.

Ask what signs should prompt an immediate return, whether your child needs an examination during the night, and how to use any prescribed treatment. Tell the clinician when the cough began, whether noisy breathing occurs at rest, and how much your child is drinking.