Croup in Children

What treatment is available for croup? When should I seek help at home? There is no treatment for the virus. It will get If your child develops harsh breathing or difficulty Acute Paediatric Department better by itself within a few days. breathing while resting, it may be a more serious Information for Parents, Carers attack and you should seek medical advice. and Older children Treating mild croup If you see any of these signs, seek immediate advice Most cases of croup are mild and do not need any or phone 999 for an ambulance:- treatment. Sitting your child upright and comforting Blue lips or tongue them is important, as getting distressed or crying Severe difficulty in breathing Croup may make symptoms worse. Try reading a Agitated, or becoming pale due to breathing favourite story or blowing bubbles. Don’t try to difficulty in Children look in your child’s throat as this could make Unable to swallow liquids and their own spit swelling worse. Some people think that steam can (drooling) help but there is no evidence that it works and it High fever with drowsiness or appearing could be dangerous. seriously unwell

Treating moderate croup Croup - Important Points Dexamethasone is a steroid medicine which reduces swelling. Side effects can include Croup is a viral illness causing a restlessness, headache and vomiting. Your child barking cough and harsh breathing may need a second dose after 12 hours. Budesonide is another steroid that can be given Most attacks are mild and get better via a nebuliser. on their own or with one dose of steroid medicine Some children with moderate croup will need to Where can I find more information? stay in hospital in case it gets worse. Seek help if there are signs of a www.nhs.uk/conditions severe attack Treating severe croup Who can I contact if I am worried? If the croup is very severe it may be necessary to Community Nursing Team: 01204 463939 give an adrenaline nebuliser. This can act quickly (Patients with a Bolton GP only) but also wears off quickly so children will be observed closely. Side effects include sickness We recognise that not everyone will find this Ask your GP for more information or for the and fast heart rate. Oxygen may also be needed. document easy to read. We can arrange for large contact details of your local team print, audio tape versions and for summaries or explanations in other languages. F5 Ward – 01204 390715 Please call 01204 390193 if we can help. IPG1507 v3 Review 01/2019 E5 Ward – 01204 390405

Croup

What is croup? Is croup contagious? Are there other illnesses with similar Croup is a childhood condition that causes The virus causing the illness can be passed on symptoms? swelling of the windpipe (trachea), the airways to through close contact and contaminated objects or Other problems that could mimic croup include:- the lungs (the bronchi) and the voice box surfaces. It is often spread by breathing in droplets Inhaling a small object such as a peanut (larynx). As the swelling gets worse, the airways from infected people coughing or sneezing. Epiglottitis – a very rare but very serious get tighter and it becomes difficult to breathe. infection of the epiglottis (flap in the throat that Who gets croup? stops food from going down the wrong way) It can occur at any age but is most common Tracheitis – infection of the windpipe between 6 months and 3 years old. More boys are Allergic reaction affected than girls. A child can get croup at any time Breathing in irritating chemicals Nasal passage of the year, although it's more likely to occur during Throat Acid leaking up out of the stomach (acid Voice box (larynx) late autumn or early winter. This may be because reflux) there are more viruses, such as colds and flu, Epiglottis Windpipe (trachea) Abscess in the back of the throat around at this time of year. Children can get croup Airway Problem with the way the airway has more than once. developed (usually when formed in the womb) Left lung Right lung What are the symptoms of croup? How is croup diagnosed? Children with croup have a distinctive barking cough There are no specific tests for croup and the (like a sea lion) and will make a harsh sound, known doctor or nurse practitioner will make a as stridor, when they breathe in. They may also What causes croup? diagnosis based on your child’s symptoms and have a hoarse voice and find it difficult to breathe It is usually caused by a virus. A virus called the sound of their cough. If you have come to because their airway is blocked. parainfluenza virus is the most common cause. hospital, your doctor or nurse will usually give Stridor is often most noticeable when children are A number of other viruses can also cause croup. your child a score to grade how serious their upset or coughing. In more severe cases, it can also These include: croup attack is. This score helps to guide the occur when your child is resting or sleeping. • Influenza A and B (flu viruses) treatment needed. Symptoms tend to be worse at night and sometimes • Measles virus (if not vaccinated) come on suddenly in the middle of the night. • Rhinovirus (common cold virus) How long will my child be ill? Some children have cold-like symptoms for a few • Enteroviruses Croup symptoms usually only last 2 days, but days before developing croup such as sore throat, • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which also can occasionally last up to two weeks. runny nose, cough and high temperature. causes an illness called bronchiolitis in babies