Croup....what are the symptoms and is there an antibiotic for it?

Paige is still coughing like crazy. Im she has already been to the doc. twice. They say she is fine. A few times she has had a low grade fever one was borderline (100.7). I thought it was a cold but the cough sound mucousy. To me it doesnt sound like she is "barking" like i have read.

Anyway, can a cold turn into the croup. She has had a really bad runny nose and her eyes are, well, she looks drugged. LOL.

Does this just have to run its course or do you need antibotics, and is it contagious?

I want to wait to bring her back because my doc. probably thinks we are crazy.

Re: Croup....what are the symptoms and is there an antibiotic for it?

Not sure about the croup part but it Sounds like the same virus both my girls have and Dh and I too.

Low grade fevers, congestion and that mucousy awful chest cough.

My PED said the cough can last 2-3 weeks after the cold/virus actually goes away. Great right!

Hope she feels better

Re: Croup....what are the symptoms and is there an antibiotic for it?

it sounds like the same thing my kids have had since early december. its been on and off all winter. if you think she is getting worse rather then better i would take her back in. How long has it been since she was last seen??? my doc always says give a bad cold a good 10 days to go away. But he also says if i feel they are getting worse to take them back in, just so he can check their ears and chest one more time. i hope i helped.


ps. im not too familiar with the croup either. sorry.

Message edited 2/14/2008 12:45:01 PM.

Re: Croup....what are the symptoms and is there an antibiotic for it?

Croup is a sound you will know right away and never will forget. It sounds like a barking seal, and seems like they are not getting enough air. There is no other cough like it!

Re: Croup....what are the symptoms and is there an antibiotic for it?

You don't have to have a barking cough to have croup either though. One night my son went to bed and woke up the next morning with no voice whatsoever and no cough. I did a search on it and croup came up with symptoms such as the barking cough or a rapid hoarseness, which is cause by swelling or something. Doc confirmed croup and they put him on an oral steroid for a few days.

They don't give antibiotics for a cold/cough. But if it turns into something like bronchiolitis, they may put them on a nebulizer treatment that helps open up the airways for easier breathing as the thing runs its course. Possibly and oral steroid too.

If you're not comfortable or you think she's getting worse, bring her back. It doesn't hurt to have piece of mind.