About this topic
Croup is most often caused by germs called viruses. They cause swelling around the main airway that your child breathes through. Croup often starts like a regular cold. Then, a cough starts that sounds like a seal barking. Your child may make whistling noises when breathing. There may be problems swallowing and this may cause drooling. All of these signs are caused by swelling in the throat. Your childs signs may be worse at night. This illness most often affects children from 3 months to 3 years old. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
- Have your child drink lots of water to prevent dehydration. Small sips more often may be easier than a large amount all at once. Warm liquids may feel better on your childs throat.
- Use a cool mist humidifier in your child's room. This will help to keep the air moist.
- Nose drops may relieve a stuffy nose.
- Use 2 to 3 pillows under your child's head when your child lies down. This may make it easier for your child to sleep. Do not use pillows if your child is younger than 12 months old.
- Do not let anyone smoke around your child.
What follow-up care is needed?
The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with breathing
- Control coughing
- Help a runny or stuffy nose
- Help with a sore throat
Will physical activity be limited?
Your childs physical activities will be limited until your child gets well. Encourage your child to rest. Have your child lie on the couch or bed. Give your child quiet activities like reading books or watching TV or a movie. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- If your childs throat feels too sore to eat solid foods, offer your child juice, milk, milkshakes, or soups.
- Do not give your child sports drinks, soft drinks, undiluted fruit juice, or beverages that have too much sugar. These may cause fluid loss and throat itchiness.
What problems could happen?
- Dehydration ¢ ˆ ’ too much fluid loss
- Very bad lung problems
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Wash your childs hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs.
- Teach your child to:
- Cover the mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing. Your child can also cough into the elbow.
- Throw away tissues in the trash
- Wash hands after touching used tissues
- Do not let your child share things with sick people. Make sure your child does not share toys, pacifiers, towels, food, drinks, or knives and forks with others while sick.
- Keep your child away from crowded places. Keep him away from people with colds.
- Have your child get a flu shot each year.
- Keep your child at home until the fever is gone and your child feels better. This will help to stop the spread of germs to others.
When do I need to call the doctor?
Seek urgent care or go to the ER right away if your child has: ‚
- Trouble breathing, breathing too fast, cannot catch a breath
- Dry mouth, cracked lips, cries without tears, or is dizzy
- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Problems waking up and is very weak
Call your doctor if your child has: ‚
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum.
- Will not drink or breastfeed
- Passing urine less than normal
- Health problem gets worse or does not improve in 7 to 10 days
- You have other questions or concerns
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you what I can do to help my child breathe more easily.
- I can tell you what I will do to keep others from getting sick.
- I can tell you what I will do if my child has trouble breathing, is breathing too fast, or cannot catch a breath.
Where can I learn more?
Canadian Lung Association ‚
http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/a-z/croup-croup/index_e.php ‚
Healthy Children ‚
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/Croup.aspx ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/lung/croup.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚