As the winter season arrives and the holiday hustle and bustle ramps up, you might decide to take a break from the holiday cleaning and head to Red Lobster with the family. But during your shopping trip, you hear your child’s cough change in a way that’s hard to ignore—it starts to sound like a barking seal. At first, you chalk it up to the cold, but the cough seems to get worse, and you start to worry.

AFC Statesville is here to help you understand what could be causing your child’s “barking cough” and what steps to take.

If your child may have croup, don’t wait—visit AFC Statesville.

What is Croup?

A “barking cough” is the hallmark symptom of croup, a viral infection that causes swelling in the upper airway. The inflammation impacts the larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), and bronchi (bronchial tubes), leading to difficulty breathing, and producing the signature barking cough. It’s also common to hear a high-pitched whistling sound, known as “stridor,” when the child breathes in.

Croup often starts with typical cold-like symptoms, but as the inflammation increases, the symptoms progress to the barking cough. Other viral infections, like RSV or influenza, can also trigger croup.

Every year, about 200,000 children are affected by croup, typically children between 6 months and 3 years old. It is uncommon in older children or adults.

Common Symptoms

In addition to the familiar “barking cough” often heard in younger children, there are other symptoms of croup to be mindful 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.

The illness typically starts with cold-like symptoms, which evolve into the distinctive signs of croup in 12 to 48 hours. Croup usually resolves within 3 to 5 days. However, if your child’s symptoms persist or worsen, don’t hesitate to seek pediatric care at AFC Statesville.

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 Statesville for quick and effective pediatric care.