Laryngitis (croup)

Symptoms

• Hoarse, muffled voice
• Dry, barking cough
• Fever that remains below 38.5^oC

If your child’s only symptom is voice loss, consult a doctor if it lasts longer than a week.

• Has trouble breathing
• Makes a high-pitched noise when inhaling (even at rest)
• Has tightness near the ribs (their ribs contract just above the sternum and their chest sinks in on inhalation).

• Has a severe sore throat, high fever, and difficulty speaking, breathing, and swallowing (i.e., drooling)

These could be signs of epiglottitis, a rare condition that requires urgent medical care.

What is laryngitis (croup)?

Laryngitis, known as croup in children under 5, is a viral infection mainly affecting the larynx and vocal cords. Infected children develop a characteristic cough that sounds like a seal’s or dog’s bark, accompanied by a weak, hoarse voice.

Inflammation, which causes swelling in the larynx, may make it more difficult for the child to breathe. This is manifested by a loud, high-pitched noise on inhalation, called “stridor.”

In rare cases, laryngitis leads to respiratory complications, as inflammation in the larynx can spread to the trachea and bronchi and cause laryngotracheobronchitis.

Treatment

Laryngitis doesn’t require special medical treatment if your child has a hoarse voice and barking cough, but is breathing normally. Most of the time, laryngitis resolves on its own in less than a week. Antibiotics are useless for against laryngitis, as the illness is caused by a virus.

If your child has difficulty breathing (stridor when inhaling), the doctor may prescribe an anti-inflammatory in the corticosteroid class to reduce swelling in the larynx. If your child is having moderate or severe breathing difficulties and you take them to the emergency room, the doctor may also administer an epinephrine-based medication.

If your child has severe or prolonged laryngitis (more than 7 days) or recurrent laryngitis, the doctor may refer you to an otolaryngologist (ENT) to confirm that it’s laryngitis and not another disease (gastroesophageal reflux, hemangioma, subglottic stenosis, laryngitis, laryngomalacia).

Care and practical advice

• Encourage quiet activities. You don’t have to keep your child in bed all day, but they do need rest.
• To relieve fever, give acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol^®, Tempra^®) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil^®, Motrin^®) as indicated and in the doses recommended for your child’s weight and age. Don’t give ibuprofen to a baby under 6 months, and never give acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), such as Aspirin^®, to a child or teenager.
• If it’s cold outside, take your child outside for a few minutes. The cold air can help relieve breathing difficulties, as it reduces inflammation.
• If your child loses their voice, encourage them to speak quietly but without whispering, and to avoid shouting, to give their voice a rest. Whispering can further irritate their vocal cords.
• If your child is under 6 years old, don’t give them cough and cold medicines (including syrups) unless your doctor advises otherwise. These drugs cause side effects that may aggravate respiratory problems. What’s more, they have a very low efficacy rate, and overuse can cause intoxication.

For tips on relieving your child’s cough or sore throat, read our fact sheets on coughing (in French) and sore throats.

Prevention

Because laryngitis is usually caused by a viral infection, you can reduce the risk of infection by following these hygiene rules:

• Wash your hands with soap after coming into contact with an infected person or after touching an object that they have handled.
• Wash your child’s hands often and teach them how to do it themself as soon as possible, especially after they cough, sneeze, or blow their nose.
• Teach your child to cough or sneeze into a tissue or, if they don’t have one, into the crook of their elbow instead of into their hand.
• Make sure your child doesn’t use someone else’s glass or utensils.
• Clean toys, faucets, and door handles thoroughly, preferably with an alcohol-based cleaner.
• Make sure all family members, including older children with colds, follow these hygiene rules to avoid infecting babies.

Scientific review: Dr. Isabelle Viel-Thériault, pediatrician and infectious disease specialist at CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research and copywriting:The Naître et grandir team Updated: June 2025

Photo: GettyImages/Jane Rubtsova