With the cold weather setting in and the holiday rush beginning, you’re likely planning to take the family out to Hunan Express to avoid more mess at home. But as you’re out running errands, your child suddenly begins coughing, and the cough grows more intense, eventually sounding like a seal barking. It’s unsettling, and you’re starting to wonder if it’s something more serious.

AFC Monroe Rd is here to explain the causes of your child’s “barking cough” and how to treat it effectively.

If you think your child has croup, AFC Monroe Rd can help.

What is Croup?

The “barking cough” is a key symptom of croup, a viral infection that causes inflammation in the upper respiratory tract. This swelling occurs around the voice box (larynx), windpipe (trachea), and bronchial tubes (bronchi), which leads to breathing difficulties and the distinctive barking cough. Often, it’s accompanied by a high-pitched whistling noise, or “stridor,” when breathing in.

Croup generally begins like a typical cold, but as the inflammation and coughing worsen, the characteristic barking cough appears. It can also occur following other viral infections, such as RSV or influenza.

Croup affects approximately 200,000 children each year, with most cases occurring in children between 6 months and 3 years old. It is rare in older children and adults.

Common Symptoms

While the “barking cough” is a key sign of croup in infants and young children, there are other common symptoms to be aware of:

• 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 often starts with cold-like symptoms and progresses to the classic signs of the illness within 12 to 48 hours. Most children recover within 3 to 5 days. If the symptoms continue or worsen, visit AFC Monroe Rd for professional 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 Monroe Rd for quick and effective pediatric care.