What happens if croup is not treated?

Croup causes swelling around the voice box and upper airway, often after a viral infection. A barking cough and hoarse voice may be mild, but noisy breathing called stridor can appear, especially when a child is upset or active. If swelling increases, the child may work harder to breathe and become tired. Croup can change over a short period, commonly becoming more noticeable at night. A child who is calm and breathing comfortably still needs observation if the cough or noise is increasing.

Keep the child calm and upright, offer small drinks if they can swallow comfortably, and stay nearby to watch their breathing. Avoid forcing food or examining the throat if this causes distress. Arrange a Child Health Consultation if symptoms are persistent, recurrent, or unclear. A clinician may consider medicine to reduce swelling; a nebuliser treatment may be used when breathing difficulty is significant.

Get emergency help if the child has noisy breathing while resting, pulls in at the ribs or neck, cannot speak or drink normally, drools, becomes unusually sleepy, or develops pale or blue lips. Do not leave a child alone when breathing is difficult.

Ask what the child's breathing pattern means, which signs require emergency help, and how to give any prescribed medicine. Ask how to keep the child comfortable during the night.