As if watching a little one wheeze and cough from croup wasn’t bad enough, parents and caregivers often get anxious about getting sick themselves (not to mention, worrying about siblings getting infected). But is croup contagious? In short, yes. However, depending on the age of the individual, the illness may not be as severe, and better yet, it may not have an effect at all.
“Croup is a viral attack on the airway below vocal cords, and since kids’ airways are smaller, they’re more susceptible to it,” explains Dr. Kenneth Polin, a pediatrician at Lurie Children’s Primary Care, Town & Country Pediatrics in Skokie, Illinois. “A little inflammation can reduce the air flow, making breathing difficult and noisy.”
Croup is most common in children between the ages of 3 months and 5 years — and in this set, it’s pretty contagious — but it can also affect older kids, and, on occasion, even adults.
Croup is most common in children between the ages of 3 months and 5 years — and in this set, it’s pretty contagious — but it can also affect older kids, and, on occasion, even adults. Read on for expert input on the contagiousness of croup.
Is croup contagious?
Croup is contagious, but it is possible to just get the virus that caused it — or even croup itself without the signature barking cough (usually referred to as croup cough) or wheezed breathing (stridor), according to Polin. Generally, croup is caused by one of the following viruses:
- Influenza (flu).
- Parainfluenza (the most common cause of croup).
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Other, less common, causes of croup are certain viruses that cause the common cold, as well as allergies — in which case, croup is referred to as spasmodic croup. Least common of all is bacterial croup, which is croup as a result of a bacterial infection.
While the likelihood of getting croup typically decreases as kids get older (particularly croup accompanied by “croup cough”), it’s still important to be vigilant and responsible — particularly around young kids, as it is easily transmitted.
“Croup is as contagious as the common cold, so children with croup should stay isolated until symptoms subside.”
—Dr. Arethusa Kirk, national senior medical director
“Croup is as contagious as the common cold, so children with croup should stay isolated until symptoms subside,” says Dr. Arethusa Kirk, national senior medical director for UnitedHealthcare.
Is croup contagious to adults?
“Preschool-aged kids are probably most affected when it comes to croup,” Polin notes. “But technically speaking, anyone can get croup — even adults.”
The reason croup — and its signature cough — affects kids more than adults is because children’s airways are smaller, making inflammation more impactful, and in turn, it harder to breathe.
Even though croup in adults is very rare (in 2017, the 15th case of adult croup was reported in medical literature), research has shown that it can be more serious. One study found that out of 11 adults with croup, 10 were admitted to the intensive care unit (I.C.U.). All of the patients made a complete recovery, but taking precautions when caring for a child with croup is still recommended.
How long is croup contagious?
According to Polin, croup is contagious for about three days, then it changes over to “wet and juicy” cough, and after 10 days is generally gone completely. That said, given the current circumstances with COVID, extra precautions are smart.
“Children with croup are considered contagious for three days after the illness begins or until the fever is gone.”
—Dr. Arethusa Kirk, national senior medical director
“Children with croup are considered contagious for three days after the illness begins or until the fever is gone,” Kirk explains. But before parents send their children into day care or school with an ongoing cough, she adds, they should “seek advice from their medical provider [and know] the sick policies of their school and day care providers.
How can you help prevent the spread of croup?
“The best prevention,” says Kirk, “includes good hand hygiene habits and physical distancing as much as possible from adults and children when they are ill.”
“The best prevention includes good hand hygiene habits and physical distancing as much as possible from adults and children when they are ill.”
—Dr. Arethusa Kirk, national senior medical director
In addition, encourage kids to cough and sneeze into their elbows, as, like many viruses, croup is spread through mucus and droplets from coughing and sneezing.
