Omicron and Croup: Parents Need to Watch Out for This New Symptom in Kids Under 5

Omicron Croup Dr. Buddy Creech Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program Dr. Peily Soong Children's Hospital of Alabama croup-like presentations COVID-19 Omicron variant COVID-19 variant omicron and croup

By Lili Scott , Parent Herald Jan 11, 04:47 am

Photo: (Photo : EITAN ABRAMOVICH/AFP via Getty Images)

Omicron, the more transmissible COVID-19 variant, appears to be affecting kids under five years old with a new but familiar symptom. Doctors want parents to be aware that they could exhibit harsh coughing episodes like croup, an upper respiratory infection.

Dr. Buddy Creech of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program told NBC News that amid the latest COVID-19 surge and the flu season, children under five years old could be manifesting symptoms similar to croup because Omicron settles in the upper respiratory tract and not in the lungs, as with previous COVID-19 variants. However, since small kids have smaller airways, they can quickly experience inflammation or clogging on the nose and throat.

So, when a child tries to breathe, they elicit a coughing noise that may sound like a barking dog, which Creech described as "croup-like presentations." The doctor added that this is not unusual since many respiratory tract infections could also lead to croup.

Limit Emergency Room Visits

However, Dr. Peily Soong of the Children's Hospital of Alabama said that parents should not bring their kids to the emergency room if they have symptoms similar to croup. Instead, the doctor assured parents that these are normal indications of the body fighting the illness with its immune system.

Per the Mayo Clinic, croup is almost always mild, and all doctors know how to treat this illness. It's the first type of respiratory infection that pediatric interns learn while in medical school. The doctors target clearing the upper airways with medication to help the inflammation subside.

So, as much as possible, parents should avail telemedicine access with their family doctor as an option rather than visiting the ER. Apart from the wheezing and raspy cough, which may sound scary to the parents, croup may be accompanied by fever and hoarseness in the kids' voices. In many young patients, the symptoms usually last for at least three to five days.

However, if the child is having trouble breathing or if he's breathing through the mouth because of nasal congestion, then it might be necessary to have a medical assessment in an emergency or urgent care facility. Other considerations for parents to bring their child to the doctor include signs of drooling, difficulty swallowing food and drinks, appearing listless or agitated, and developing blue or graying skin color around the mouth, nose, and fingers.

Hospitalizing Kids with Omicron

If the doctors determine that the child should be admitted to the hospital, they will be given IV fluids to prevent dehydration, steroids, antiviral drugs, and oxygen, as needed. Doctors have observed that many children improve and do well after a few days and go home to finish their recovery.

The experts also said that kids under five who have Omicron develop fewer complications. However, cases are skyrocketing all over the U.S. because the variant can quickly infect people. They advised families, including kids, to mask up because Omicron's spread is rapid. The doctors also emphasized the importance of getting vaccination and boosters as soon as possible for those who are eligible.