As winter’s chill sets in and the holiday season gets into full swing, you might be considering dining out with the family at Lucky Samurai to avoid extra housework. While you’re out, though, your child starts coughing—first a soft cough, but soon it sounds like a seal barking. It’s a common occurrence, but it’s concerning when it doesn’t seem to let up.

AFC Gastonia is here to provide insight into your child’s “barking cough” and offer guidance on the best treatment.

If you think your child has croup, AFC Gastonia is ready to help.

What is Croup?

The “barking cough” is one of the most distinct signs of croup, a viral infection that causes swelling in the upper airway. The swelling occurs in the voice box (larynx), windpipe (trachea), and bronchial tubes (bronchi), which makes it hard to breathe and creates the seal-like cough. Often, it’s also accompanied by a high-pitched sound when breathing, called “stridor.”

Croup often begins like a common cold, but as inflammation worsens, the barking cough develops. It can also result from other viral infections, such as RSV or influenza.

Croup is a common illness, affecting approximately 200,000 children annually, with the majority of cases occurring in children between 6 months and 3 years of age. It is rare in older children and adults.

Common Symptoms

We’ve already discussed the “barking cough” that often accompanies croup in infants and young children, but there are other signs you should watch for.

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Fever
• Hoarse Voice
• Noisy or labored breathing (often worse at night)
• Barking cough (made worse by crying and coughing)
• Rash
• Eye redness (conjunctivitis).
• Swollen lymph nodes.

Croup typically begins with cold-like symptoms, then progresses to more noticeable symptoms of the condition within 12 to 48 hours. It generally clears up within 3 to 5 days. If your child’s illness continues or gets worse, visit AFC Gastonia for pediatric care.

How to Avoid Croup

Kids can easily catch croup from another child’s coughs, sneezes, or by touching contaminated items. Like treating colds and the flu, there are several ways to help your little one avoid croup:

• Frequently wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Clean frequently touched surfaces
• Avoid sick children

When to Seek Medical Care

Seek immediate medical attention if your child:

• Develops a blue or gray tint around the nose, in or around the mouth, or on the fingernails
• Struggling to breathe
• Makes high-pitched breathing sounds when not crying or upset
• Begins drooling or has problems swallowing
• Seems anxious, upset and restless or extra tired and has no energy
• Breathes at a faster rate than usual

Ways to Help Your Child

There are some things you can do to ease your child’s discomfort as they fight off the virus:

• Let your child breathe cool air at night by opening a door or window
• Treat your child’s fever with an over-the-counter medication.
• Give your child warm, clear fluids to help loosen the mucus on their vocal cords
• Keep your child’s head elevated with an extra pillow (don’t use pillows with infants younger than 12 months old)
• Use a humidifier
• Make sure your child stays hydrated and well-rested

For the safety of others, be aware that your child is contagious for three days after their symptoms first appear or until their fever is gone.

If you are concerned about your child’s cough, visit AFC Urgent Care Gastonia for quick and effective pediatric care.