Here is my question about croup.

Brewster

How long should I keep him home from school.  He has no fever and never did.  He is acting normal and now his cough just sounds phlemy.  They said all week (M-W) for him.  I am definitely keeping him home Monday and Tuesday, but am wondering if he can go on Wednesday to school.  WWYD?  I don't want to get any other kids sick.  He'll have had 4 rounds of steroids by the time he is ready for school Wed.

luluroo

i wouldn't think you need to keep him out that long (especially if his cough sounds better).  My son had it and I kept him home when his cough sounded bad because it scared the crap out of ME.  I bet by Wednesday he will be better.

I hate, hate, hate croup.

rumpunch21

I think he should be fine by Weds. When dd had croup they didn't tell us to keep her home that long....And she was fine within 3 days

mommynow

Croup is not contagious (according to my pedi) but whatever he got croup from - cold, virus, etc. would be.  As long as he isn't showing any signs of a cold then I'd send him.

Sorry he has that - DD has had it several times.  It is the worst thing ever.

JCS2007

For us, DS got steriods and nebulizer treatments on Monday, and recovered incredibly quicly. On Tuesday he was  a little congeted but you would have never known he was as sick as he was on Sun and Mon. at his f/u apt on  tuesday the dr gave us the ok to send him back on Wed.  I dont think being contagous was a huge concern once the symptoms were deminished. Hope he feels better- that is no fun at all!  

EliseB0323

The bad part of croup usually runs 2-4 days. It probably takes a week or so for the full virus to run it's course. I usually keep DS home for a couple of days. Croup is caused by a virus that can also cause colds and other similar stuff. The virus is contagious, but the croup (which is basically caused by a swelling of the airway) itself isn't. BTW, the steriods can make kids really hyper, and hungrier than usual. DS bounces off the walls when he is on steriods, and basically appears perfectly well, when he is still actually sick.