Viral croup usually goes away in 3 to 7 days. The outlook for bacterial croup is good with prompt treatment.

If an airway obstruction is not treated promptly, respiratory distress (severe difficulty breathing) and respiratory arrest can occur.

• Respiratory distress
• Respiratory arrest
• Epiglottitis
• Bacterial tracheitis
• Atelectasis (collapse of part of the lung)
• Dehydration

Most croup can be safely managed at home with telephone support from your health care provider. Call 911 if:

• The croup is possibly being caused by an insect sting or inhaled object
• The child has bluish lips or skin color
• The child is drooling
• The child is having trouble swallowing

Depending on the severity of the symptoms, call 911 or your health care provider for any of the following:

• Stridor (noise when breathing in)
• Retractions (tugging-in between the ribs when breathing in)
• Struggling to breathe
• Agitation or extreme irritability
• Not responding to home treatment

Do NOT wait until morning to address the problem.

Images

Voice box

Throat anatomy

Lungs

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Review Date: 05/13/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)