Croup

Parents should be made aware of the symptoms and signs of croup:

• Hoarse voice

• Seal-like barking cough

• Stridor (a high-pitched crowing sound heard as child breathes in)

• Fever (although not all children will have a fever).

Most children with mild croup can be observed at home.

Parents should be advised to go to the hospital if:

• The crowing sound (stridor) can be heard continually

• The skin between the ribs is pulling in with every breath

• The child is restless or agitated.

Parents should be instructed to call an ambulance if:

• The child's face is very pale, blue, or grey (includes blue lips) for more than a few seconds

• The child is unusually sleepy or is not responding

• The child is having a lot of trouble breathing (e.g., the belly is sinking in while breathing, or the skin between the ribs or over the windpipe is pulling in with each breath; the nostrils may also be flaring in and out)

• The child is upset (agitated or restless) while struggling to breathe and cannot be calmed down quickly

• The child wants to sit instead of lie down

• The child cannot talk, is drooling, or having trouble swallowing.