How Long Does Croup Last?

Being a parent is difficult enough, but throwing in a myriad of childhood illnesses can be overwhelming. This is especially true when it’s the wee hours of the morning and your child is exhibiting some worrying symptoms.

Croup is often one of those illnesses that catches a parent’s attention because the cough sounds horrible. Fret not! At Kid Care Pediatrics, our goal is to walk beside you and give you the tools you need to keep your child safe and happy.

If you find yourself thinking “How long does croup last?”, read on for more information about the ins and outs of croup, what it is, how long it typically lasts, and what you can do about it.

What Is Croup?

Croup is a viral illness (usually caused by parainfluenza) that affects the upper airway and causes swelling of the voice box and trachea.

When these pathways are narrowed due to the infection, a cough is forced through and causes a “bark.” While it is most common in young children, older children and adults can also come down with it.

Symptoms of Croup

Symptoms of croup will begin as a normal cold. You may see fever, runny nose, sneezing, and a cough.

If there is enough swelling or irritation, a child will develop a croupy cough. They can also experience labored breathing, a hoarse voice, and something called stridor.

Stridor sounds like a high-pitched noise when the child takes a breath. It is a side effect of a narrowed pathway and—though it may not indicate anything too serious—it can be a scary sound to hear.

Most symptoms of croup are exacerbated by a child being upset or crying, so it’s important to keep them calm as much as possible.

Very rarely, your child may exhibit symptoms of severe croup. This includes struggling to breathe, becoming extremely pale and drowsy (lethargic), blue lips/extremities, or their breath sucking in at the ribs or neck. This indicates a medical emergency and they must be seen right away.

How Long Does Croup Last?

How long croup lasts is very dependent on the severity of the disease and the child’s age. It usually lasts about a week, with the worst days being day 2 and 3 and symptoms are typically worse at night.

As the illness progresses, the child will return to a more “normal” cough and no longer experience stridor.

In unusual cases, pneumonia or bronchiolitis can develop. It’s important to pay attention to the duration of croup and make note of how long it is lasting in your child.

How To Treat Croup At Home

If you’ve gotten the go ahead from your pediatrician to treat croup at home, there are several remedies you can try.

• Steam – Steam is excellent for breaking up phlegm in the airways to make coughs more productive. You can either sit with your child in a bathroom with the warm/hot shower running or buy a humidifier. Make sure you purchase a cool mist humidifier so you don’t run the risk of burns.
• Fluids – Most illnesses benefit from fluids, but they are especially helpful with croup. Fluids keep the child hydrated and they help soothe the throat. Popsicles given under parent supervision are a great way to entice your child to intake more fluids.
• Upright Position – Keeping your child in an upright position makes it easier for them to breathe.
• Quiet Time – The more they’re quiet, the less they’re exerting their vocal chords. Since the voice box is swollen, rest is best.

Possible Complications of Croup

Although rare, some children may experience complications from croup. While death is exceedingly rare, there are some things to look out for.

• Supplemental Oxygen – Some children’s airways may be so swollen that they require supplemental oxygen to keep their levels up.
• Bacterial Infection – Because of the inflammation of the various parts of the airways, a secondary bacterial infection may occur. Your doctor will be able to tell if your child’s ongoing symptoms are due to an infection or not.
• Dehydration – If your child is unable to drink liquids or has a high enough fever, they may become dehydrated.
• Inhaled Breathing Treatments – Some children may require breathing treatments or steroids to reduce inflammation in the airways.

How To Prevent Croup

Croup is like a common cold: easy to spread and difficult to avoid. However, the good news is that croup is rarely dangerous and clears up pretty quickly.

As pediatricians, we like to remind parents to always practice good hand hygiene: sneezing into elbows, avoiding other sick children, and most of all, keeping up to date on their vaccinations. Luckily some routine vaccinations prevent certain strains of the viruses that can cause croup.

Conclusion

Parenting is challenging and often comes with unexpected bumps in the road. Croup is one of those bumps. Fortunately croup is rarely a serious illness and will clear up with some extra TLC.

The key point to remember is that if your child experiences any of the more severe complications that Kid Care Pediatrics is here for you. Whether you have questions or need to contact the after hours options, your child is in safe hands with us.

If you’re ever in doubt about your child’s illness, give us a call. We’d be happy to book them into a sick appointment and get them the care they need.