Croup and bronchiolitis

Croup is an infection of the voice box and windpipe which develops into a harsh, barking cough. It usually affects children up to five years old.

Bronchiolitis is a common chest infection in children up to 12 months of age which causes coughing and rapid, wheezy breathing.

Croup and bronchiolitis are viral infections and can develop from a cold.

Croup causes a harsh, barking cough
Croup usually begins as a cold and the cough develops as the lining of the voice box and windpipe swell. Other features of croup include:

A cough which is usually worse at night, when the air is cooler
A hoarse voice
Children can develop a noise while breathing (stridor)
It usually lasts three to four days
Some children have repeated attacks.

Antibiotics do not help croup
There is no specific treatment for croup - it will usually get better over three to four days. Antibiotics do not help because croup is caused by a virus. You can help your child if you:

Try to keep them calm - breathing is more difficult when they are upset.
Give them paracetamol if they have a fever, as directed by your doctor.
Sit with them in a steamy room - turn on the hot water taps in the bathroom, close the door and allow the room to steam up.
Never leave them alone in the bathroom.

Croup can get worse quickly
Children can stop breathing during a severe croup attack. Take them to a doctor or hospital quickly if they:

Have noisy breathing (stridor)
Are struggling to breath
Look sick
Become restless or irritable.

Bronchiolitis usually starts as a cold
Bronchiolitis usually starts as a winter cold. After a day or so:

The baby begins to cough
Their breathing gets rapid and wheezy.
Babies are usually sick for three to five days and the cough may last two to three weeks.

Medicines do not help bronchiolitis
Medicines such as antibiotics don't help because bronchiolitis is a viral infection. You should give your baby:

Lots of rest
Small amounts of drinks - for example, breastfeed or give formula more often than usual.

See you doctor if your child is not well
Take your child to the doctor if they have any of these symptoms:

Has very rapid or irregular breathing
Seems very tired
Refuses food or drinks
Is becoming pale or sweaty
Their skin turns blue.

Where to get help

Your doctor
The casualty or emergency department of your local hospital
The 24 hour Maternal and Child Health Telephone Service Tel. 13 22 29 (for the cost of a local call throughout Victoria).

Things to remember

Smoking in the home increases the risk of bronchiolitis and other breathing problems in children.
Bronchiolitis is infectious. Keep affected babies away from other infants for the first few days.
Children can have repeated attacks of croup - these become less common as children grow.
Doctors are unsure if steam vaporisers help croup. If you use one, make sure that the room is well ventilated.

Article courtesy of disability.vic.gov.au