The scary bug that causes children to bark like a seal - what to do if your kid catches it

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

It's a common complaint at this time. But with its harsh cough that sounds like a seal barking, croup can be scary for parents when their kids catch it. "The first time my daughter had croup when she was two, I remember being woken to a bizarre noise which it took me a few moments to place," the Mini First Aid blog writes. "It literally sounded like a sea lion was in our house, which at 2am is not a pleasant experience. "When we got to our daughter she was terrified at the horrible sound each time she coughed, and her panic meant she was struggling to breathe.

Although she was fine once we had calmed her breathing, I remember telling all the mums and dads I knew so they were forewarned." Most croup cases are down to the parainfluenza virus, which affects affects the windpipe, the airways to the lungs and the voice box.

Youngsters may also have a hoarse voice and find it difficult to breathe because their airway is blocked. Thankfully, the condition is usually mild but it's important to call NHS 111 if you think your child has croup as they may need treatment.

Croup mainly affects youngsters between six months and three years old, with most cases occurring in one-year-olds. But it can sometimes develop in babies as young as three months, and older children up to 15 years of age.