When Is Croup Contagious?

Contagiousness — Croup is caused by viruses that can be spread easily through coughing, sneezing, and respiratory secretions (mucus and droplets from coughing or sneezing). Children with croup should be considered contagious for three days after the illness begins or until the fever is gone.

Is croup contagious before symptoms appear?

Most viral causes of croup have an incubation period of 24-72 hours between exposure to the virus and development of initial symptoms. Most children with viral croup are most contagious during the first days of fever and illness. The infection spreads easily in a household.

Can a child go to daycare with croup?

Croup is about as contagious as the com- mon cold. Children with croup or other respiratory infections should not have frequent contacts with infants less than six months of age. Should the child stay home? There is no reason to exclude the child from child care simply because of their harsh cough.