A child can get croup at any time of the year, although the condition is more likely to occur during the late autumn and early winter months. This may be because there are more colds and viruses around at this time of year.
The initial symptoms of viral croup are similar to those of a cold. They include:
- sore throat
- runny nose
- high temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or above (in some, but not all, cases)
- cough
Over one to two days, the more specific symptoms that are characteristic of croup will develop. These symptoms are:
- a bark-like cough
- a hoarse or croaky voice
- difficulty breathing
- rasping (a harsh grating sound) when breathing in, called stridor
The symptoms of spasmodic croup are similar to those mentioned above. However, a bark-like cough and stridor tend to occur suddenly (usually at night), with the child feeling well before the specific croup symptoms begin.
Stridor is often most noticeable when the child cries or coughs. However, in more severe cases of croup it can also occur when the child is resting or sleeping. For reasons that are unclear, the symptoms of croup tend to be worse at night.
Although the symptoms of croup usually only last for a few days, they can occasionally last for up to a week.
When to seek medical advice
Croup is a condition that can usually be diagnosed by a GP and mild cases can usually be effectively treated at home.
However, if your child’s symptoms are severe (see below), you should take them to the nearest hospital’s accident and emergency (A&E) department or dial 999 for an ambulance.
You should seek immediate medical attention if your child has any of the following symptoms:
- severe breathing difficulties
- increased breathing rate (they are too breathless to feed or talk) or 'silent chest' (you are unable to hear sounds of breathing)
- worsening cough or rasping sound (stridor)
- distress and agitation
- the skin appearing dark, blue-tinged or pale
- the skin around the ribs and chest appearing to be pulled in and tight, making the bones of the chest and ribs more visible
- abnormal drowsiness and sleepiness
- a high temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or above
- a rapid heartbeat or a falling heart rate
Some of these symptoms may indicate a potentially life-threatening underlying condition called epiglottitis (inflammation of the epiglottis, which is the flap of cartilage that closes off the entry to the voice box when you swallow). The symptoms could also indicate tracheitis (inflammation of the windpipe), which also requires immediate medical attention.
