Children's Hospital doctor gives parents advice on croup and winter viruses

A doctor at Birmingham Children's Hospital has shared advice for parents as more children start to pick up coughs, colds and winter viruses, including croup, flu and bronchiolitis.

Dr Prasad Nagakumar, a consultant respiratory paediatrician at the hospital, said the city was seeing the rise in cases that doctors expect at this time of year.

"Croup is common in babies and young children, and we always see more of it in autumn and winter," he said. "What we are seeing in Birmingham at the moment is what we'd expect for this time of year."

Time for the flu vaccine

He explained that croup is usually caused by a common cold virus called parainfluenza, though other winter viruses such as flu and RSV can cause similar symptoms.

"Flu is starting to rise, so now is a good time to make sure your child has their flu vaccine," he said. "It's offered free to children from age two, usually as a quick nasal spray."

The tell-tale bark

Dr Nagakumar said the tell-tale sign of croup is a barking cough that sounds a bit like a seal. A child may also have a hoarse voice, or make a high-pitched, rasping noise when breathing in. It often starts like a cold and tends to be worse at night.

"If you think your child has croup, call NHS 111 or speak to your GP," he said. "They can confirm it and may give your child medicine to help them get better more quickly. Most children recover within 48 hours."

Most children with winter bugs can be looked after safely at home, and local pharmacies can give advice on everyday coughs, colds and fevers. NHS 111 is available day and night for anyone who is worried or unsure.

Caring for a child at home

For children with croup who are being cared for at home, the hospital's advice is to sit them upright rather than let them lie down, to keep them calm and comfort them, because crying can make breathing harder, and to check on them regularly, including during the night. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help if they have a high temperature or seem uncomfortable.

Parents should not put a child in a steamy room or ask them to breathe in steam. It does not help, and there is a risk of burns.

"Trust your instincts as a parent," Dr Nagakumar said.

When to call 999

The hospital says parents should call 999 or go straight to A&E if a child is struggling to breathe, for example grunting, or if their tummy is sucking in under their ribs. Other warning signs include skin, lips or tongue that look blue, grey, pale or blotchy, with the palms of the hands or soles of the feet the place to check on brown or black skin.

Parents should also seek urgent help if a child is unusually sleepy, hard to wake or very still, is floppy or not responding as normal, cannot be calmed and is struggling to breathe, or is drooling, finding it hard to swallow or wanting to sit up rather than lie down.

Anyone whose child is that unwell should not drive themselves, but ask someone else to drive or call 999 for an ambulance.