Discharge Instructions for Croup
Your child has been diagnosed with croup. This is usually caused by a viral infection of the upper airways and voice box (larynx). You may have noticed that your child had a rough, barking cough. This is one of the most common signs of croup. You may also have noticed a wheezing and rattling sound (stridor) when your child took a breath. Your child may be given a medicine that eases swollen airways. Here are instructions for caring for your child at home.
Follow-up care
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Make a follow-up appointment as directed.
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Talk with your child's healthcare provider about vaccinations. Babies should have their first dose of the Hib vaccine at 2 months old.
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Be sure your child finishes all medicines prescribed by the provider.
Call 911
Call 911 right away if your child:
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Makes a whistling sound (stridor) that gets louder with each breath
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Has stridor when resting
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Has a hard time swallowing, or is drooling
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Has trouble breathing
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Has a severe cough
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Has pale or blue-colored skin around the fingernails, mouth, or nose
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Struggles to catch their breath
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Can't speak or make sounds
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Has trouble waking up or loses consciousness
When to call your child's healthcare provider
Call your child's healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:
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Fever (see "Fever and children" below)
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Feeling tired or lack of energy (fatigue)
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Can't handle fluids
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Cough or other symptoms that don't get better or symptoms get worse
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Trouble relaxing or sleeping after 20 minutes of steam or cool outdoor air
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Sluggishness or vomiting
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Your child doesn't get better within a week
Fever and children
Use a digital thermometer to check your child’s temperature. Don’t use a mercury thermometer. There are different kinds of digital thermometers. They include ones for the mouth, ear, forehead (temporal), rectum, or armpit. Ear temperatures aren’t accurate before 6 months of age. Don’t take an oral temperature until your child is at least 4 years old.
Use a rectal thermometer with care. It may accidentally poke a hole in the rectum. It may pass on germs from the stool. Follow the product maker’s directions for correct use. If you don’t feel OK using a rectal thermometer, use another type. When you talk to your child’s healthcare provider, tell him or her which type you used.
Below are guidelines to know if your child has a fever. Your child’s healthcare provider may give you different numbers for your child.
A baby under 3 months old:
A child age 3 months to 36 months (3 years):
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Rectal, forehead, or ear: 102°F (38.9°C) or higher
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Armpit: 101°F (38.3°C) or higher
Call the healthcare provider in these cases:
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Repeated temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher
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Fever that lasts more than 24 hours in a child under age 2
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Fever that lasts for 3 days in a child age 2 or older
Online Medical Reviewer:
Alan J Blaivas DO
Online Medical Reviewer:
Daphne Pierce-Smith RN MSN CCRC
Online Medical Reviewer:
Marianne Fraser MSN RN
Date Last Reviewed:
12/1/2019
© 2000-2021 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.