Croup
Need treatment for a child or baby with mild to severe croup? We understand croup can be stressful for both caregivers and children. Often worse at night time, our team are experts for croup treatment.
Have a life threatening emergency?PHONE 111
What is croup (and when does your child need urgent care)?
If your little one has an especially persistent cough that worsens at night, they might have a viral illness called Croup. Actually, it’s pretty common for children to get mild croup, but it must not be overlooked, because it can quickly become severe.
That’s because croup narrows the upper airways, making it harder for little ones to breathe. Namely, Croup affects the windpipe, voicebox, and airways to the lungs. Children between 6 months old and six years are most likely to get croup. However, toddlers are the most common age group. If your child gets croup more than once, see your GP.
Symptoms of mild Croup include:
- a cough that sounds like a seal barking
- noticeably more coughing at night time
- other symptoms of viral illness, including a temperature; cold-like symptoms or sore throat
Signs the croup may be getting more severe.
- Breathing gets noisier and becomes a Stridor in more severe cases. This will occur even when your toddler or baby appears to be calm or at rest.
- Your child might appear to be struggling to breathe
- Blue or greyness on the face or around fingernails is a sign your child needs emergency care
If you can hear a severe croup cough or Stridor, bring your child to your nearest hospital immediately ie. Middlemore. Occasionally, a bacterial infection can affect the windpipe and requires emergency professional care.
What is a Croup Stridor and what does it sound like?
The main symptom of croup is a the rough sound that is made during each inhalation. It’s called a Stridor and sounds like this. So, if you hear this noise it is a sign your child is experiencing swelling or inflammation. Unsurprisingly, it will be making it harder for them to breath.
If you child has a mild Stridor do not delay to come to Urgent care or call us to check symptoms.
- refuses or struggles to consume fluids
- if your child has Asthma or other respiratory illness, they are at higher risk of developing spasmodic croup.
Go to Middlemore Hospital or call 111 if the child shows signs of:
- their face or lips turning blue; or face turns pale
- struggling to breath
- increased breathing rate
- a notable pause in breath pattern
- appearing to go limp or drowsy
- or alternatively becomes especially upset
. If you are at all unsure call Healthline 0800 611 116 anytime.
How to treat mild croup in children
Ordinarily, children will have mild croup for a couple of days and have treatment at home. A few helpful tips for croup treatment include:
- Keep your child hydrated with frequent sips of fluid to soothe their throat. Also, this will help prevent dehydration from other viral symptoms like fever.
- Pamol can be given every four hours. Be sure to follow the correct dosage for your child’s weight and age as recommended by your Pharmacist.
- Lots of cuddles and soothing talk will keep your child calm. Let them feel they are safe and help them relax their breathing. Anxiety or crying can make symptoms worse.
- Monitor symptoms and check them through the night to ensure no stridor develops. If symptoms become severe, bring them to urgent care.
- Croup normally lasts between 3 – 5 days. So, see your GP if the cough does not improve.
How to contact us
- Email info@eastcare.co.nz
- Phone number (09) 277 1516
- Fax (09) 277 1515
- Address: 260 Botany Road, Howick 2013, Auckland
- Postal: PO Box 38306, Howick 2145, Auckland
Complementary onsite services
At our Botany Road premises, we offer a number of onsite services including a Pharmacy and Radiology to ensure your visit to the Centre is as stress free as possible.
Frequently asked questions
To join our clinic, you first need to fill out the patient enrolment forms to register with the PHO that we belong to. This is a Ministry of Health requirement. You will need to provide proof of identity and eligibility which may include the following forms of identification:
- NZ Passport or NZ birth certificate
- International passport with resident visa OR work visa of minimum 24-month duration
On the enrolment form you need to indicate which of our doctors (currently taking new patients) that you would like to be registered with.
Yes. As part of completing your enrollment, we request that you have a new patient screening appointment with one of our Nursing or Medical Centre Assistant team members.
This new patient appointment enables our team to work with you to better understand your current health and wellbeing.
Following the new patient appointment as above, you can book your first consultation with your nominated doctor.
The length of your first appointment with your new doctor will be as follows:
| Age | Screening appointment | GP appointment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-13 yrs | - | 15 minutes Free |
15 minutes Free |
| 13-17 yrs | - | 15 minutes $13.00 |
15 minutes $13.00 |
| 18-39 yrs | 15 minutes $10.00 |
15 minutes* $19.50 |
30 minutes $29.50 |
| 40+ yrs | 15 minutes $10.00 |
30 minutes $39.00 |
45 minutes $49.00 |
* Note: if you have a chronic condition, please make a booking for 30 minutes.
Payment is required at the time of consultation
You will get full access to the patient portal “My Indici” once you have completed your screening appointment.
Payment is required at time of consultation. Please note that unpaid accounts will incur an additional $10 monthly administration cost.
There may be additional costs for treatments/tests/materials
We recommend that you book your future appointments via your patient portal My Indici.
If you need an urgent appointment, then please phone the clinic. We have doctors available to discuss your urgent health needs on the day.
All consultations are by appointment only.
Patient portals are secure online sites where patients can access their health information and interact with their general practice. Please give us call on (09) 265 1325 or send us an email at info@ormistonmedical.co.nz, and we can set up your account.
14-17 years $14
18+ years $16
Urgent prescription $27.50
We are open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm.
For health services after hours visit East Care Accident & Medical, 260 Botany Road, Golflands, Auckland 2013. Their phone is 09 277 1516.
These are consultation prices only.
Under 14 Years - Free 14 - 17 years - $14 18 years & over - $16
Note charge is the same for in person or by phone or video as you are still receiving the same high quality health provider assessment, diagnosis and planning.