Most children will get better at home within 3-7 days of symptoms starting. It is quite common for symptoms to become worse at night and may even wake your child up. 

Symptoms may consist of: 

• Sore throat 
• Frequent cough that sounds like a seal barking  
• Hoarse voice  
• Fever 
• Runny or stuffy nose 
• Chest pain 
• Shortness of breath 
• Wheezing 
• Sneezing 
• Ear pain 
• Irritability 
• Decreased appetite  

Croup signs & symptoms include: 

• Frequent cough that sounds like a seal barking  
• High-pitched sound when breathing in (inspiratory stridor), often occurring at night 
• Hoarse voice 
• Fever 

Children with worsening symptoms should be seen immediately in the emergency room and may need to stay in the hospital for observation and care. Prolonged duration of croup symptoms may be seen with secondary bacterial infection or indicate an additional underlying cause.  

Call 911 if your child has any of these warning signs: 

• Unusual tiredness 
• Trouble breathing 
• Fast heartbeat 
• Bluish tint to lips or fingers 
• Unable to speak 
• Unable to swallow  
• Drooling