It usually occurs in children between 6 months and 4 years of age. More cases of croup occur in the late fall and winter months than other times of the year. Children may have a runny nose or cough a few days before the symptoms of croup begin.
Children often have more trouble at night than in the daytime with coughing spells.
This situation can be frightening for parents but can usually be treated at home. Keep the child comfortable by treating any fever with Tylenol, as directed by your pediatrician. Antibiotics are not usually given because a virus that would not respond to antibiotics causes the infection. Rarely, a child will have so much trouble with coughing and difficulty breathing that hospitalization would be required. If the breathing doesn t get better in 10 to 15 minutes, arrange to take the child to the hospital.