thread: Who knows about Croup?

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  1. #1
    Life Subscriber

    Jul 2006
    Brisbane
    6,683

    We have a GP appointment for later on this morning.

    When I spoke to cc, they said that there is no exclusion period as such, but they prefer them to be kept at home while they are unwell. DS is very grizzly this morning so I think he's better off at home.

    It's pretty amazing that with a 4yo and 2 1/2 yo this is the first time we've had it!

  2. #2

    Apr 2007
    the Sauna
    1,995

    DS got it while we were camping ... we thought it was just a funny cough but it happened the following nights and he could hardly breathe .. we took him to the doc and it was croup .. its nasty and it really does sound like a seal ..

    take him out into the clod air at night when its happening ..
    its better than steam ...

    brontide- is central heating like a heater in a split system on the wall ??

  3. #3

    Mar 2004
    Sparta
    12,662

    Lea, if it warms the room up at night it's not recomended. Sleeping with a heater on, A/C, radiators and so on all make the air hotter. From a croup POV it's better to keep your little one warm with blankets in a cold room.

  4. #4
    Life Subscriber

    Jul 2006
    Brisbane
    6,683

    Well, the doctor isn't sure if it's croup or not! He certainly has some signs, but he's not coughing which the makes the doctor thinks it's more likely a virus. He said either way do the same thing - keep him quiet today and tomorrow, give him steam and take him back Wednesday if he's not better.

    Amazingly, keeping him quiet might not be hard - he sat on my lap the whole time we were waiting for the doctor. That's probably the longest he has ever, ever, stayed still!! Now I know he's sick!

  5. #5
    Moderator

    Oct 2004
    In my Zombie proof fortress.
    6,449

    I find the best ones ones at knowing whether it is croup or not are the old ED nurses, they seem to know more about it than the Dr's. I had one argued that it was on the wrong breath, but thankfully still gave a dose of redipred which helped a lot.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Oct 2003
    Forestville NSW
    8,944

    I'd be suspect too Mel, only because generally croup goes away, of course he wouldn't still be coughing! That would be something other than croup.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Melbourne
    3,715

    Kids with croup can seem fine during the day, but have the croup "bark" cough for a couple of nights. Often it is worse the second night (although that has never been our experience).

    Yep, cold air is the best. But remember, you don't want a cold child, just a cold airway! So a few minutes at a time is fine. I have heard that it's the change in atmosphere that helps, so going from the cold, to the steamy bathroom, and back into the cold is the best way to help. If after a couple of goes at the night air you are still concerned then it might be time to head to the hossy. And if your child is very lethargic or unresponsive, but still suffering with stridor (which is the wheezy sort of sound they make when breathing in), then it's definitely time to head to hossy.

    Croup does come along with a virus, so that's the part that contagious, not the croup so to speak. It sounds as though he may have had mild croup Mel, hopefully it's all over now!