Croup In Babies – Is Croup Contagious?

Croup is a common childhood viral infection. The condition causes the voice box, windpipe and the airways to the lungs to swell, causing difficulty in breathing. Croup usually affects children aged from six months to three years, although it can affect children as old as 15. Generally, the symptoms are less severe in older children.(photo on canvas Acrylic canvas printing)

Croup is most prevalent during the winter months. Boys are more likely to be affected than girls. Some children suffer recurrent episodes of the infection.

There are two types of croup:

    Viral croup – this is caused by a viral infection
    Spasmodic croup – this condition is caused by an allergic reaction

Croup Symptoms – Early Warning Signs

The early warning signs for a viral croup infection are:

    Fever
    Sore throat
    Runny nose
    Cough

These symptoms can be seen in a range of illnesses, so it may be hard for you to distinguish early on if your baby has croup, especially if you’ve not experienced it before.


Croup Cough

If your child has croup, within 48 hours the following symptoms will develop:

    A bark-like cough
    A croaky voice
    A stridor – a harsh grating sound when inhaling. This may be most noticeable when the child cries
    Difficulty swallowing
    Difficulty breathing

The symptoms of spasmodic croup include the above, but the cough and stridor will usually develop suddenly and often at night.
Croup Treatment

If your child is showing symptoms of croup, you should take him to see your doctor. The doctor will diagnose the condition by listening to the barking cough and examining his throat. The doctor will advise treatment based on the seriousness of the condition.

Most cases of croup clear up within 48 hours, although symptoms can sometimes last two weeks. Croup is often a mild condition that doesn’t require treatment. To manage this condition at home you should:

    Sit the child upright
    Make sure you comfort the child when distressed (crying can worsen the symptoms)
    Ensure the child drinks plenty of water or breastmilk if breastfed

According to this Royal Children’s Hospital article, steam therapy is no longer recommended for treating those who suffer from croup, as research and evidence has shown that it is of no benefit.

The symptoms of a viral croup infection will usually worsen at night. If the symptoms are too severe to be managed at home, your doctor may prescribe steroids to treat the infection. In severe cases, your child may need to be admitted to hospital for help breathing. Oxygen may be administered by nebuliser or mask to aid breathing. In severe cases, adrenaline may also be used.
When To Seek Emergency Treatment

This condition can usually be managed at home. However, you should seek emergency treatment if your child develops any of the following symptoms:


    Severe breathing difficulty
    Too breathless to feed or talk
    A worsening stridor or cough
    Dark, blue-tinged or pale skin
    Chest skin appearing pulled in or tight
    Abnormal sleepiness