Leaving croup untreated - advisable?

[purpleturtle]

There is a possibility that ds has got himself croup. He seems fine in himself, just a chesty cough and a bit of barking. Do I have to drag him off to the doctor's for steroids, or can I let it run its course?

Message withdrawn

Oh good! Don't want to be neglectful, but neither do I want to pay $50 to see a Doctor unless I have to!

Hi, my son used to get group with every cold! Symptoms are a harsh barking cought hat can become really distressing, particularly at night. There is no medicine for croup: severe attacks are helped by steam inhalations (if child is old enough). If its a young child, try running a shower or hot tap in a bathroom and sitting the baby on your lap in the steamy room. If it is croup, the steam works very quickly. Warm soothing drinks and sitting up to sleep also help. Caution, if your child is sucking in skin below ribs when trying to breathe or breathing very rapidly you must get immediate medical help as the problem is more likely to be pneumonia or similar infection.