Croup is a common childhood illness that causes a bark like cough. It can also cause difficulty breathing which can be frightening for both you and your child.
Croup is caused by a virus which affects the airways including the voice box (larynx), windpipe (trachea) and lungs (the bronchi) causing them to swell and become narrower.
Some children have croup two or more times in their childhood.
Please see Red-Amber-Green tables for advice on when and where to seek care for your child.
Related topics: bronchiolitis, cough and colds, difficulty breathing
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999 - consider using ‘What 3 words’ to best describe location to ambulance service
Please contact your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111.
If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features.
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, call NHS 111 – dial 111.
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The Healthier Together programme relies upon patients and healthcare professionals working together to improve how local healthcare is delivered. The website provides advice for parents, young people and pregnant women, and clinical resources to support healthcare professionals – which means that your child is likely to receive consistently high-quality care, irrespective of which healthcare professional they see.