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Original poster

Babys got croupe - help!

8 replies

pinkyp · 21/02/2008 17:48

Hi my drs just said my babys got croupe (he has a very bad cough and a weezy chest. I've never heard of croupe before but i think my gp really scared me when he said "i dont think he needs admitting but if he gets worse we'll admit him to hospital" as you can prob tell its my 1st baby. I suffer from panic attacks too so i'm a real worrier as it is! He has given him some anti-biotics as he said the croupe cant be cured and goes away on its own and the anti-biotics is just for incase he has an infetcion too. I've searched for convasations on croupe on here but cant find any! Any help/advice would be very very recommended. My baby seems his normal self so that must be good? xx

OP posts:
Flier · 21/02/2008 17:51

if you search for croup you'll get loads of info. Try not to worry, its very common and you've done the right thing in taking your baby to your gp. Did he mention anything about giving your baby a one-off steroid?
It's good that your baby seems his normal self, go with your instincts and if you are at all concerned then get him along to the gp again or to your hospital emergency dept, as this can be rather scary.
hth. x

littlelapin · 21/02/2008 17:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

emma1977 · 21/02/2008 18:00

Firstly, don't worry!

The fact that your baby seems to be his normal self is very reassuring.

Croup is a common infection in under 5s. It is usually caused by the cold virus, and can give your child a loud barky-sounding cough and sometimes a mild fever and wheeze. People often get concerned because the cough can sound awful (but the baby looks well)!

Croup tends to get better of its own accord after a few days. If there is additional chets infection, antibiotics may help but aren't always needed. Breathing problems and coughing are often more pronounced at night, and having your child in a warm, humid room (such as bathroom with shower/bath/kettle steaming) can ease the cough and breathing. If your baby develops worsening trouble breathing, a high fever or is becoming drowsy or having difficulty feeding- contact your GP or A&E.

Please be reassured that most kids with croup improve after a couple of days and most don't need hospital admission.

Haylstones · 21/02/2008 18:00

If he gets bad sit in the bathroom with the shower on really hot so it fills up with steam as this will help. Fresh air will also help. If it gets really bad go to a and e and they'll either give him medication throuhg a nebuliser or a dose of it. we've had to do this twice with dd and after hosp treatment she's been fine (never had to be admitted)

orangina · 21/02/2008 18:04

Steamy bathroom v helpful.....

Original poster
pinkyp · 21/02/2008 18:12

thank u, i will def take him into steamy bathroom, i did this the other day when i thought he had cold and it seemed to help. I have wrapped him up and elevated his cot matress. I'm not a very good speller so i will look for croup with out a "e"! lol. He had cold about 4 weeks ago and then got a viral infection and diorrea etc do u think croup could of come from all of this? Hes had this since monday and its got worse so hopefully with these anti-biotics he should be better asap. Thanks 4 ur help/advice xxxxxxxxxxxx

OP posts:
summer111 · 22/02/2008 17:21

I've posted about this before but cold air works very well and in this weather, is quick to achieve! I used open my bedroom window and stand with dd in my arms, letting her breath in the cold air. DD always had about two bouts of croup a year, always triggered by a headcold. She grew out of it at about 7yrs old but by then, I was an old hand in dealing with it. It certainly isn't the most pleasant of illness to nurse your child through but you do become more confident in coping with it with time. In all that time, I took dd up to A&E on only two occasions but only once was she given any meds for it.

Best of luck!

dippydeedoo · 22/02/2008 17:26

i used to lay ds1 in cot and fill the kettle with water(in his room obviously)when it boiled i would take the lid off and press it to boil again -obviously this causes a lot of steam and soon temporarily eases a tight chest-however it is quite dangerous in the fact its absolute boiling hot water so i ALWAYS put him in his cot and was v careful. you used to be able to buy menthol air filtery things that produced a menthol steam thing- i got mine in boots about 12 yrs ago dont know if they still do them tho and the menthol filters were about £3

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