What should you know about pseudo croup?

Croup causes swelling around the voice box and windpipe. A child may develop a harsh barking cough, hoarse voice, or a high-pitched noise when breathing in, often after cold symptoms. Fever can occur, but the child’s breathing effort, alertness, and ability to drink are more useful guides to severity. Symptoms may sound worse at night or when the child is upset because crying increases airflow demands.

Keep the child calm and upright, offer small sips of fluid, and stay close to watch their breathing. Cool or humid air is not a substitute for medical advice, and steam can burn. Do not give cough medicines unless a clinician recommends them. A healthcare professional may prescribe medicine to reduce airway swelling; severe symptoms may require monitored treatment, sometimes through a nebuliser.

Call emergency services if the child struggles to breathe, has persistent noisy breathing while resting, pulls in at the ribs or neck, cannot speak or drink normally, becomes unusually sleepy, turns blue or pale, or drools with difficulty swallowing. Seek same-day clinical advice for a barking cough with noisy breathing, particularly in a very young child or when symptoms are worsening.

Ask how severe the episode appears, which warning signs to watch for overnight, and when the child can return to nursery or school. Tell the clinician about fever, fluid intake, previous episodes, medicines, and any breathing noise heard while the child is calm.