Croup vs. COVID-19: Is There a Way to Tell the Difference? – Healthline

Croup is an infection of the upper airways that most commonly affects young children. Its also possible for adults to get croup, but this is rare.

Some of the characteristic symptoms of croup include a barking cough and stridor, which is a harsh sound that happens when a child breathes in. Other cold-like symptoms may also be present.

Several different types of viruses can cause croup. Recently, symptoms of croup have been reported in children with COVID-19.

You may be wondering how you can tell if your childs croup symptoms are caused by the novel coronavirus or another viral infection. Below, well compare croup and COVID-19, how theyre treated, and when to see a medical professional.

Now lets break down the differences between croup and COVID-19 and what you can expect from each illness.

Croup is most often caused by a viral infection. Parainfluenza viruses are the most common cause of croup, but influenza viruses, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause it as well.

The first symptoms of croup are very similar to those of other upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold. They include:

In the next day or so, the characteristic barking cough appears. Some children may develop stridor, a harsh sound thats made when they breathe in. Stridor can also happen with rapid, shallow breathing and nostril flaring. These symptoms are often worse at night.

Its possible for croup to happen without cold-like symptoms. This is called spasmodic croup and is also commonly caused by viruses. Children with spasmodic croup often have croup symptoms that recur periodically.

The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, causes the viral infection COVID-19. Generally speaking, fewer instances of COVID-19 have been observed in children compared with adults.

Many of the symptoms of COVID-19 in children are similar to those in adults and can include:

A 2020 review of 10 studies that described 2,914 children with COVID-19 found that the most commonly reported symptoms were cough, fever, and sore throat.

As in adults, children who have contracted SARS-CoV-2 may not have symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that as many as half of children who contract the novel coronavirus may be asymptomatic.

Recently, there have been reports of children presenting to the hospital with symptoms of croup testing positive for COVID-19. These include:

Theres overlap between the symptoms of croup and the common COVID-19 symptoms in children. Because of this, you may be curious about how you can tell if your childs symptoms are due to COVID-19 or another cause of croup.

Some things you can consider are:

The only way to be sure whether your child has COVID-19 is to have them get a COVID-19 test. To do this, you can reach out to your childs doctor or seek out a COVID-19 testing site in your area.

Croup is most often treated at home with supportive care. This includes things like:

Your childs doctor may prescribe a medication called dexamethasone to help treat croup. This is a steroid medication that reduces inflammation, helping to open the airways.

When croup is severe, treatment in a hospital may be necessary. Both dexamethasone and nebulized epinephrine are given. If a child is dehydrated, they may also receive intravenous (IV) fluids.

If croup symptoms are caused by COVID-19, supportive care will also be used. Most cases of mild or moderate COVID-19 in both children and adults can be treated at home.

According to the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasnt yet approved any drugs to treat COVID-19 in children. However, the following treatments may be used for children with severe COVID-19:

The chart below can help you compare the potential symptoms of croup with COVID-19 and other common childhood illnesses.

As you can see, many of these illnesses have a significant overlap in symptoms. If you ever have questions or concerns about symptoms that your child is experiencing, dont hesitate to speak with their doctor.

Theres also some overlap in the serious symptoms of both croup and COVID-19. Its important to seek prompt medical attention or call 911 if you notice any of the following symptoms:

If you suspect that your child has COVID-19, be sure to let staff know when you arrive at the doctors office or hospital.

Croup is a common respiratory infection in children. Its symptoms include a barking cough, fever, and sore throat. Some children may also have stridor when they breathe in.

Three of the most common COVID-19 symptoms in children are fever, cough, and sore throat. In some cases, COVID-19 can present with symptoms of croup. The only way to be sure whats causing a childs symptoms is a COVID-19 test.

Most children with either croup or COVID-19 can recover at home. However, its important to seek emergency medical attention for symptoms like stridor, difficulty breathing, and decreased alertness.

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Croup vs. COVID-19: Is There a Way to Tell the Difference? - Healthline