US Medical Term · maternity
Croup
Crup
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Croup |
| Spanish (Español) | Crup |
| Chinese (中文) | 哮吼 |
| Korean (한국어) | 크룹 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Viêm thanh khí quản |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Croup |
| Portuguese (Português) | Crupe |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | โรคคอตีบชนิดไวรัส |
| Japanese (日本語) | クループ |
What it means
Croup is a viral infection of the upper airway that causes a distinctive barking cough, hoarse voice, and a high-pitched noisy breathing sound called stridor when your child inhales. It most commonly affects children under 5, usually in fall and winter. The swelling narrows the windpipe, making breathing difficult — symptoms are often worse at night. Mild croup can be managed at home with cool night air or steam and keeping your child calm. Your child's doctor may prescribe a dose of corticosteroids (such as dexamethasone) to reduce airway swelling. Difficulty breathing, blue lips, or drooling require emergency care.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My child has a barking cough and noisy breathing — does this sound like croup?
Mi hijo tiene una tos perruna y respira con ruido — ¿suena como crup?
What can I do at home tonight to help my child breathe better with croup?
¿Qué puedo hacer en casa esta noche para ayudar a mi hijo a respirar mejor con el crup?
At what point should I take my child with croup to the emergency room?
¿En qué momento debo llevar a mi hijo con crup a urgencias?
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
J05 Acute obstructive laryngitis [croup] and epiglottitisRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026