Croup

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Causes

Signs/Symptoms

Risks

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• You can help the child's breathing by sitting with him or her in a steamy bathroom. Turn on the hot water in the sink, shower, or bathtub and close the windows and bathroom door. When the room is steamed up, bring the child into the room and sit with him or her on your lap for at least 15 minutes. Do not leave the child alone.
• Call your doctor if the steam does not improve the child's breathing within 10 to 15 minutes.
• If it is cool outside, taking the clothed child outside in the cool air for 5 minutes may help make breathing easier.
• If you have a humidifier, place it out of reach by the child's bed. Fill it with cool water. Direct the mist stream towards the child's face. The humidifier will loosen the mucus in the child's throat, making it easier to breathe.
• Keep your child warm and give clear liquids (water, apple juice, lemonade, tea, or ginger ale) once breathing has improved. The liquids should be room temperature. They are important for keeping the child's mucus thin.
• Do not let anyone smoke around the child. The smoke can make his or her breathing and coughing worse.
• Do Not give your child aspirin. Give acetaminophen for fever and comfort. Ask your doctor before giving ibuprofen.
• You should try to stay calm and see that the child gets as much rest as possible. His or her breathing and coughing will become worse if the child is afraid and crying.
• Most cases of croup can be treated at home as long as breathing problems and coughing don't increase. It could be 5 to 6 days before the child feels better.

Call Your Doctor If...

• The child is sleepier than usual, is urinating less, has a dry mouth and cracked lips, cries without tears, or is dizzy. These are signs of dehydration.
• The child has a high temperature.
• The child's breathing does not get better after 10 to 15 minutes in a steamy bathroom.
• The child cannot rest because the coughing won't stop.
• The cough lasts more than a few days.

Call Your Doctor Immediately If...

• Call 911 or O (operator) for help if your child has any of the following signs: trouble breathing or swallowing, the skin between the ribs is being sucked-in with each breath, the lips or fingernails are turning blue or white, or the child is leaning over and drooling.

IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE HOSPITAL...

What to Expect While You're There

• Taking Vital Signs: These include the child's temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting heartbeats), and respirations (counting breaths). A stethoscope is used to listen to the heart and lungs. Blood pressure is taken by wrapping a cuff around the child's arm.
• Pulse Oximeter: The child may be hooked up to a pulse oximeter (ox-IM-uh-ter). It is placed on the ear, finger, or toe and is connected to a machine that measures the oxygen in your child's blood.
• Oxygen: The child will get moist cool air either from a mask, tent, or high humidity room. This will make breathing easier.
• Breathing Treatments: A machine will be used to help the child inhale medicine that keeps the airways open. A doctor will assist with these treatments. At first, they may be needed quite often. Later, they may be needed only if the child is having trouble breathing.
• IV: A tube placed in your child's veins for giving medicine or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to it.
• Chest X-ray: This is a picture of the heart and lungs. The doctor uses it to see how your child's heart and lungs are handling the illness.
• Blood: Is usually taken from a vein in your child's hand or from the bend in the elbow. Tests are done on the blood.
• Blood Gases: Blood is taken from an artery in your child's wrist, elbow, or groin. It is tested to see how much oxygen it contains.
• ECG: Also called a heart monitor, an electrocardiograph (e-lec-tro-CAR-dee-o-graf), or EKG. The patches on your child's chest are hooked up to a TV-type screen. This screen shows a tracing of each heartbeat. Your child's heart will be watched for signs of injury or damage that could be related to the illness.
• Visiting: You may stay with the child to give comfort and support. Your child will feel safer in the hospital with you nearby.

After You Leave

• Little can be done to keep your child from getting a cold which can cause croup; but try to avoid anyone who has a cold.
• If the child does get a cold, use a cool mist humidifier in his or her room.
• If the child develops another case of croup, follow the guidelines under ""What You Should Do,'' above.

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