Barky Cough in Children (Croup)

HEAL

This information has been translated into other languages – see the links at the bottom of this page.

Key Points

• Croup is a common viral infection that causes noisy breathing and a barky cough in young children.
• Croup is usually mild and can be managed at home.
• Croup is caused by a virus and does not need antibiotics.
• Seek medical attention if you notice that your child has noisy breathing when calm or asleep or has any trouble breathing.

What Is It?

Croup is a common viral illness in children. The virus causes swelling of the throat, including the larynx (around the vocal cords) and the trachea (windpipe, or air passage from the throat to the lungs).

The swelling in the throat can change your child’s voice and cause a harsh, “barky” cough. Children with croup can get stridor – a high-pitched breathing sound made when they take a breath in, which can lead to difficulty breathing.

Croup affects younger children because their airways are smaller. Children between the ages of 3 months and 5 years old are most likely to get sick, but older children may have symptoms too. The same virus that causes croup in a young child can give cold symptoms to other family members.

Symptoms

Most children will have a mild runny nose or a low-grade fever. Within 12 to 48 hours, the symptoms can progress to include:

• Hoarse voice
• “Barking” or “Seal-like” cough
• Stridor (a high-pitched noise when your child takes a breath in)
• Fever
• Mild sore throat
• Trouble breathing

In mild cases of croup, stridor is normally heard when your child is crying or upset. In more severe cases of croup, your child will have stridor even when they are calm or asleep. Stridor and cough are usually worst at night.

Children are unwell for about 1 week. Croup symptoms are worst during the first 1 to 2 days that your child is sick. Your child may have other symptoms because of the virus making them sick, including a runny nose, red eyes, or rash.

Treatment

At Home

Most children with croup have mild symptoms and can be successfully treated at home. Here are some things you can try to make your child feel better:

Cool air

• Cool air can help your child breathe more comfortably and can settle their coughing. Dress your child in warm clothes and try any of the following:
  • Open a window in your child's room.
  • Take your child outside for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Take your child for a drive with the windows partly rolled down.
  • Open the freezer door and let your child breathe in the cool air.

Over-the-counter medicine for fever or pain

• You may give acetaminophen (Tylenol or Tempra) or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) to keep your child comfortable. Use as directed on the package or as instructed by a healthcare provider.

Fluids

• Your child may not have their normal appetite, but encourage your child to stay hydrated by offering small amounts of fluids throughout the day. Cool drinks can be soothing if they have a sore throat.

Rest

• Encourage your child to rest. Their cough may become worse if they get excited, upset or are very active.
• Many children have a cough and trouble breathing at night – you may want to sleep in the same room as your child. This will let you know if there are any problems at night.

In Hospital

Dexamethasone (Steroid syrup)

• If cool air is not effective at helping your child’s breathing, your child may need a medicine called Dexamethasone.
• Dexamethasone is a steroid syrup that helps reduce the swelling in the airways. The medicine usually starts to work 3 to 4 hours after your child takes it, and continues working for 1 to 2 days.

Inhaled Epinephrine

• In children with difficulty breathing or stridor when they are calm or asleep, inhaled epinephrine (adrenaline) may be used.
• Your child breathes in the medicine through a mask, and the epinephrine works in a few minutes to reduce swelling in the airway and lasts about 4 hours.
• If your child is unwell enough to require inhaled epinephrine, they will be watched in the Emergency Department for several hours. Some children require more than 1 dose of the medicine.

How Can I Prevent It From Spreading?

• Croup is contagious – your child should be kept away from daycare or school as long as they have a fever and barky cough.
• Keep your child away from young babies (less than 3 months) for as long as you can while they are coughing.
• Hand washing is important to stop the spread of infections. Teach children to wash their hands before and after eating, coughing or sneezing.

When To Get Help

Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care.

Seek immediate medical attention if:

• Your child is having difficulty breathing (look for pulling of the skin at the neck or between their ribs)
• Your child’s lips turn purple or blue
• Your child is drooling, unable to talk or unable to swallow
• Your child has stridor when they are calm or asleep
• Cool air does not settle down your child’s breathing after 10 to 15 minutes
• Your child is complaining of neck pain or stiffness
• Your child is lethargic (very sleepy)

Know your options

It can be scary when your child is sick. But in most cases, you don’t need to go to the emergency department. If you’re unsure, visit ahs.ca/options to learn about the options so you can get the care you need.

About AHS HEAL

The Alberta Health Services HEAL (Health Education and Learning) program was created by a team of doctors, nurses, and other clinical staff who work at the Alberta Children’s Hospital and the Stollery Children’s Hospital, to support families and patients with up-to-date and useful information about common childhood health concerns. Learn more at ahs.ca/heal.

To see this information online and learn more, visit: ahs.ca/heal/page12435.aspx

Related to Barky cough in children (Croup):

• Croup symptoms and management: video and eBook

Other languages

Barky cough in children (Croup): HEAL

For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information call Health Link at 811.

Current as of: March 1, 2024

Author: Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Alberta Health Services

This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.