Disclaimer [ENGLISH]
Disclaimer: This material is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, nor does it replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. Reference to a specific commercial product or service does not imply endorsement or recommendation of that product or service by CPCMG.
What is Croup?
- Croup is the name of a condition causing swelling of the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea).
- The swelling causes the airway below the vocal cords to become narrow, which makes breathing noisy and difficult.
- Croup is more common between the ages of 3 months to 5 years old.
- When caused by an infection, croup is more common in the fall and winter months.
What causes Croup?
- Croup is commonly caused by a virus.
- Less commonly it is caused by allergies or reflux.
What are the symptoms of Croup?
Viral Croup
- It usually starts as a cold and then your child may develop a “barky” cough.
- Your child might also have a fever.
- Your child might have noisy breathing called stridor.
- Your child may develop a hoarse voice.
- Your child may have labored breathing (if this happens your child does need to be seen).
Spasmodic Croup
- Thought to be caused by allergies or reflux (from stomach contents).
- Usually your child seems fine when they go to bed but develops stridor (noisy breathing) in the middle of the night.
- Your child may sound hoarse and have a barky cough.
- Your child may be gasping for air.
- Usually your child does not have a fever and these episodes may recur.
How can I prevent it?
- Encourage good hand washing.
- Clean high touch surfaces frequently.
- Avoid sick contacts.
- Keep your child up to date with vaccines.
- Avoid sharing food and drinks.
- Avoid any smoke/vaping exposure.
How can I treat it?
- Help your child to remain calm to make breathing easier by:
- Singing their favorite song.
- Playing with their favorite toy.
- Offering comforting words of reassurance.
- Cool misty air – from a humidifier or vaporizer, opening the freezer door, or even going outside (depending on the weather) - usually helps.
- Treat a fever or discomfort with Tylenol or ibuprofen (if 6 months and up).
- Encourage hydration.
- Some children might need prescription medication to help decrease the swelling that causes croup symptoms. Your child’s provider will decide if medication is needed after talking with you and examining your child.
When to call your child’s provider:
- Your child is having trouble breathing.
- Your child is not able to stay hydrated.
- Your child has a fever for 5 days.
- Your child is having recurrent croup.
- Your child is not responding to treatment.
- Your child’s symptoms are getting worse.
- You feel your child needs to be seen.
This publication was adapted from information within American Academy of Pediatrics Patient Education Handouts, UpToDate Guidelines and Healthychildren.org
Reviewed by: TT D.O, AR D.O. | 10/2023