Croup in children

The most common symptoms of croup are:

Symptoms are often worse at night and start with those of a cold such as a runny nose, fever and cough.

Croup is an airborne virus meaning that it is spread through being in close contact with infected people and by breathing in droplets from infected coughs or sneezes. It can also be transmitted by touching contaminated objects and surfaces.

Croup is contagious for around 3 days after symptoms first start to show or until the fever has gone.

There is no test for croup; it can only be diagnosed by its symptoms. If you think your child has croup then you should speak to your GP as soon as possible. They will be able to rule out any other causes and ensure they get the right treatment.

You should call NHS 111 or see your GP if your child shows symptoms of croup, or if you have any concerns. Croup can normally be treated at home and will get better within 48 hours.

During this time, make sure to keep yourself and your child calm. Comfort them if they are distressed as crying can worsen symptoms and give them lots of fluids to help them stay hydrated. It can also help to keep your child sitting upright.

Don’t give them any cough or cold medicines, however you can give them paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with a high temperature. Just remember to always read the label and follow dosage advice. Lastly, avoid putting your child in a steamy environment or allowing them to inhale steam.

Some children may need to go to hospital if they are under 3 months old or their symptoms are severe or get worse.

Croup very rarely causes complications. However if your child’s airways become obstructed and aren’t treated properly, they may experience severe breathing difficulty or respiratory arrest. Always call 999 if your child struggles to breathe.

Sometimes children may develop a secondary infection following the initial virus. In some cases, this can then cause pneumonia, a chest infection that causes swelling of lung tissue, or bacterial tracheitis, a rare but potentially life-threatening infection.

Other possible complications can include an ear infection or lymphadenitis where the lymph nodes become infected.

Croup is a contagious infection and can be spread in a similar way to the common cold. There are things you can do to prevent you or your family getting croup:

In summary, croup is a common virus that affects children from 6 months old. The symptoms can be worrying however it usually gets better on its own after 48 hours. If you think your child has croup or you have any concerns about their breathing, make sure to call NHS 111 or speak to your GP as soon as possible.

Get more advice on children’s illnesses including how to treat bronchitis and the symptoms of flu in children. You can also stock up on childrens’ cough, cold and flu medicine and treatments for sore throats.