Mild croup
If suitable, a clinician prescribes prednisolone liquid for 2 days, with the dose checked against your child's weight.
- No appointment or video call
- NZ clinician reviewed
- Pay only if approved
What to expect
Talk to Quinn, our AI assistant. A NZ clinician reviews your history and decides your care.
- A clinician may prescribe a 2-day course of prednisolone liquid
- Noisy or harder breathing while calm needs same-day in-person care
Can this be treated online?
Start an online assessment if…
- A classic barking cough or hoarse voice, breathing comfortably at rest, alert and drinking normally
- A short steroid course is usually all that is needed for a mild episode
Your child needs in-person care if…
- Noisy breathing while calm and at rest, or working harder to breathe
- Blue or grey colour, drooling, difficulty swallowing, unusual drowsiness or an age under 6 months
When to get care sooner
Some symptoms need urgent or in-person care.
Call 111 now if your child…
- has marked difficulty breathing or turns blue or grey
- cannot swallow or drink
- is unusually drowsy or floppy
Get same-day care if your child…
- has noisy breathing while calm and at rest
- is working harder to breathe or is getting worse
What is croup?
Croup is a viral illness that causes swelling around the voice box and upper airway. This creates a barking or seal-like cough and a hoarse voice. A mild episode can often be recognised from the history without examining the throat.
- A barking or seal-like cough, with or without a hoarse voice
- Breathing comfortably while calm, drinking and behaving normally
How your online consultation works
No appointment or video call to book. See the current clinician review time before you start.
- Tell QuinnDescribe your concern in your own words. Quinn, our AI assistant, gathers the information for your clinician.
- Clinician reviewA registered NZ clinician reviews your history and decides your care. They may ask for more detail.
- Receive your careApproved documents are saved in My care. Any prescription goes to your chosen pharmacy.
Keep your usual GP. You choose whether to share your approved consultation summary with your usual practice.
What we’ll ask about
Answer naturally. Quinn follows up on what matters to your situation, using these topics for the assessment.
- The barking cough or hoarse voice, when it began and your child's current weight
- Breathing while calm, swallowing, drinking and usual alertness
Frequently asked questions
Does my child need antibiotics for croup?
No — croup is caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not help. A short steroid course reduces the swelling that causes the barking cough.
How quickly does the steroid work?
Most children improve within a few hours and settle over a couple of days.
Fees and practical details
Your consultation fee is shown before submission. Your card is charged only if care is approved; medicine and pharmacy costs are separate.