In severe cases of croup, a child may need to be hospitalised. However, in most cases of croup the symptoms will last several days to one week and can be treated at home with a humidifier and children’s pain reliever. The doctor will not prescribe antibiotics for the croup as it is a viral infection. Over the counter cough medications will do nothing to help the swelling of the larynx and trachea. The only prescribed medication that can help is an oral steroid. Your doctor will determine if your child’s case of croup is severe enough to warrant this medication.
The virus that causes croup makes the condition contagious, so keep your child at home until they show no symptoms.
