What to know about croup in children

Croup is swelling around the larynx and upper windpipe, usually during a viral illness. The narrowed upper airway can produce a harsh barking cough and a high-pitched sound when breathing in, called stridor. Symptoms may sound worse when a child is upset or crying. A mild cough can be monitored, but noisy breathing while resting is more concerning than noise only during crying.

Keep your child calm and hold them in a comfortable upright position while awake. Offer frequent sips of fluid and avoid forcing food. Stay nearby to observe breathing, especially during the night. Avoid steam, smoke and non-prescribed cough medicines. A clinician may recommend medicine that reduces airway swelling when symptoms warrant it; use it exactly as directed.

Call emergency services if the child is struggling for each breath, has blue or grey lips, drooling with difficulty swallowing, severe chest pulling-in, pauses in breathing, or becomes unusually sleepy. Seek urgent assessment for stridor while resting, worsening breathing, inability to drink, or signs of dehydration. Do not wait for the cough to become severe if breathing effort is increasing.

Ask how to recognise stridor at rest, whether treatment is needed, how long to observe breathing after medicine, which fluids are suitable, and what to do if symptoms return overnight.