What is croup?
Croup is a respiratory illness that causes airway swelling at the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea). Most cases of croup occur when the body reacts to a viral infection. Parainfluenza viruses are the most common cause of croup. However, other viruses (for example, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, measles, influenza, rhinoviruses, and enteroviruses) can also cause croup. A child with croup will usually have a harsh, barking cough that can be scary for the child, other children, families, and caregivers.
Who gets croup and when?
Croup is most often seen in young children under 3 years old. Children usually have a runny nose, sore throat, and/or a cough before developing croup. Croup can happen at any time of the year, but it is most common between October and March (cold/flu season).
What are the symptoms of croup?
The throat just below the vocal cords becomes narrow when a child has croup. This makes breathing noisy and difficult. Because the voice box contains the vocal cords, the main symptom of croup is a harsh cough that sounds like a seal barking. Croup commonly gets worse at night with a crowing sound while breathing. The illness may last one to seven days. Children with lung diseases, such as asthma, are at risk for more severe illness.
How does croup spread?
The viruses that can lead to croup can spread from person to person by contact with respiratory secretions and through the air. Sneezing, coughing, breathing, singing, talking can all spread these germs. While one child might develop croup after being infected with the virus, another child might only experience a mild cold.
Should a child with croup stay home?
Children with croup should stay home or be sent home if they do not feel well enough to participate in activities or, if they require more care than staff can safely provide while caring for other children. They should stay home if they are showing any signs of respiratory distress or having high-pitched breathing sounds. Croup is usually managed at home by providing liquids and moist, cool air, especially at night.
When should Emergency Medical Services (911) be called for a child with croup?
Call Emergency Medical Services (911) if the child is showing any signs of repiratory distress, such as:
- Turning blue around the lips, mouth, nose, or fingertips
- Labored and noisy breathing
- Sucking in of the skin above and below the ribs, or flaring of the nostrils
- Stomach moving much more than usual when they are breathing
If the child is anxious, try to calm them down. Crying can make symptoms worse and breathing more difficult.
What can be done to limit the spread of viruses?
- Follow proper hand hygiene practices, especially after wiping or blowing noses; before and after contact with any secretions; before preparing, serving, or eating food; and after diapering and toileting.
- Routinely clean objects and surfaces. Disinfect objects and surfaces that are soiled with body fluids.
- Provide ventilation indoors. Spend time outdoors, even in winter.
- Teach children to cough and sneeze into their elbow.
- Change clothing soiled with mucous.
- Wipe noses using disposable tissues, throw the tissue into the wastebasket, and wash hands.
References
American Academy of Pediatrics (2022) Croup and Your Young Child at https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/Croup-Treatment.aspx
Shope, T., and Hashikawa, A. (2023) Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools, 6th Edition, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Nemours, KidsHealth (2021) Croup at https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/croup.html
Updated March 2024, UCSF California Childcare Health Program
This article was made possible with funding from the Heising Simons Foundation.
