Croup - does it mean a gp visit?

[Bimblin]

Thats it really. DS (3.2) coughing badly since this morning, am giving him calpol which seems to help, and getting some fresh (rainy) air into the room. He is more sleepy in the day which What To Expect says means see a doc. Also have a 6 month old ds who presumably has caught it but not showing any signs yet. Should I get him to the gp in the morning or will it probably pass with a bit of TLC? Is there anything different I can do for the baby? Will obviously take him in if he worsens. TIA

Are you sure it's croup or just a cough? Is he barking like a seal? The thing to watch with croup is very laboured breathing - pulling the chest wall in and up IIRC, but you're probably best to Google to check that. You can try shutting yourselves in the bathroom and putting the hot taps/shower on to make it steamy. Or boil a kettle in his room. If it worsens I would personally go to the doctor.

If it's just a cough try Tixilix or something similar.

I would go to the Gp - croup is the infection and swelling of the voice box & wind pipe and can lead to diffculty breathing - belive me that bit is not good - been there done it got the T shirt and a blue light job to hospital .

Definitely croup - seal like barking and laboured breathing though manageable, I mean, not an A&E job yet - but he is sleeping now after some calpol. Will take him tomorrow. Any views re the baby? Thanks

I don't know if you can "catch" croup as such? Isn't it more something that develops as the result of another infection? Some children are prone to it and some aren't?

Anyway, with the baby I'd be more cautious and go to the doctor straight away if symptoms develop.

Just keep eye on baby - if he is not shpowing any signs of an infection then there is little that can be done .

But if he does get croup , little ones can go down hill rapidly , more so than a 3yr old.

My DS was 8 months whne he had croup and went down hill hence hospital .

Thanks guys. Will call first thing and take the baby too. And let ds' pre school know as apparently it can be contagious. Mother instincts are telling me its not too bad but am from a family of doctors and hate going unless its death's door...

If it gets bad (ie, he's unable to talk to you) please take him to the hospital. Stress and crying can make it worse. Poping him in a steamy room is no longer advisable as some boffin has found out it doesn't work. They don't mind you taking them to the hospital. That's what they are there for. Phone NHS direct if he's having a coughing fit. please.