What do you treat croup with

Possible causes of cough and cold-like symptoms in children Symptoms Possible cause Runny nose, sneezing, cough and temperature Cold Cold-like symptoms, wheezing, rapid breathing, not feeding Bronchiolitis Cold-like symptoms with bouts of coughing — your child may "whoop" when breathing in Whooping cough.

Do stay calm sit your child upright comfort them if they're distressed crying can make the symptoms worse give them plenty of fluids. However, if your child's symptoms are severe or aren't responding to home treatment, you should call your doctor. Your child's doctor will likely ask a number of questions to help determine the best course of treatment:.

Your doctor will ask additional questions based on your responses and your child's symptoms and needs. Preparing and anticipating questions will help you make the most of your time with the doctor. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis Croup is typically diagnosed by a doctor. He or she will: Observe your child's breathing Listen to your child's chest with a stethoscope Examine your child's throat Sometimes X-rays or other tests are used to rule out other possible illnesses.

More Information X-ray. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references AskMayoExpert. Croup child. Rochester, Minn. Bjornson CL, et al. Croup in children. There are a number of conditions that can follow croup, such as pneumonia and middle ear infection. Read more about the complications of croup. Good hygiene is the main defence against croup, such as regularly washing hands and cleaning surfaces. A number of your child's routine vaccinations also protect against some of the infections that can cause croup.

These include:. A child can get croup at any time of the year, although it's more likely to occur during late autumn or early winter. This may be because there are more viruses, such as colds and flu, around at this time of year. Stridor is often most noticeable when the child cries or coughs. But in more severe cases of croup it can also occur when the child is resting or sleeping.

Although croup symptoms usually only last for a few days, they can occasionally last up to two weeks. You should take them to your nearest hospital's accident and emergency department or dial for an ambulance.

Some of these symptoms may indicate a potentially life-threatening underlying condition called epiglottitis inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis. The symptoms could also indicate tracheitis inflammation of the windpipe , which also requires immediate medical attention. Croup usually develops as the result of a viral infection. The infection causes the larynx voice box to become swollen and the trachea windpipe to become blocked, and may affect the tubes in the lungs bronchi.

It is sometimes called laryngo-tracheo-bronchitis. The parainfluenza virus is the most common cause of croup. Four strains of the virus are responsible for most croup cases. These are:. The virus can be transmitted through close contact with infected people, as well as contaminated objects and surfaces.

As with many airborne viruses, the parainfluenza virus is often spread by breathing in droplets from infected coughs or sneezes. A GP can diagnose croup by studying your child's symptoms, particularly the sound of their cough. They may also check your child's temperature for a fever and ask whether they have recently had a cold or viral infection.

In some cases, a pulse oximetry test may be carried out. This involves clipping a sensor onto your child's earlobe or finger to find out their oxygen levels. The test does not hurt and should not distress your child, and determines whether your child is absorbing enough oxygen into their blood. Your GP will decide whether your child needs to be admitted to hospital or whether their croup is safe to treat at home.

You should not try to check your child's throat yourself, because it could trigger a spasm sudden narrowing of the airway. This could cause the airway to swell even more, making breathing even more difficult. In very rare cases, epiglottitis inflammation of the epiglottis or tracheitis inflammation of the windpipe can cause similar symptoms to croup.

In these cases, however, your child will usually feel very unwell generally, rather than just having the specific symptoms of croup. If your child is admitted to hospital with severe croup, or if treatment is unsuccessful, further investigations may be needed to examine their neck and chest area for a possible obstruction.

An X-ray may be recommended if it is thought your child may have inhaled something and it is obstructing their airway. Offer frequent drinks - unless your child is having difficulty swallowing. Give paracetamol according to your child's weight - only as directed by your doctor, if your child has a high fever or sore throat and if your doctor is sure the problem is not epiglottitis. Moisture in the air - Some parents like to use vaporisers in their child's room, but doctors do not currently recommend it as there is no evidence that humidified air helps croup and there is a risk of burns from the steam.

If vaporisers are used, ensure that instructions for use are followed closely and the room is well ventilated. Treatment for croup by a doctor Mild croup generally settles within a couple of hours and the child goes back to sleep. Medical treatment for croup may include: Steroids - oral or inhaled steroids. Steroids decrease the length of the croup episodes.

They also reduce the need for admission to hospital. Nebulised adrenalin - in severe symptoms, adrenalin may be given in hospital to relieve the swelling in the windpipe until the steroids work.

A device called a nebuliser is used to administer the medication in the form of a mist that is inhaled into the lungs. Prevention of croup The viruses that cause croup are very similar to those of the common cold. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. View all infections.

Related information. Victorian Government Department of Health.