croup
the complete guide to the childcare exclusion period for croup in Australia — how long to keep your child home, symptoms to watch for, and when they can return.
exclusion period
no exclusion required unless the child is unwell — croup is not a notifiable condition
symptoms
- •barking cough (often worse at night)
- •hoarse voice
- •noisy breathing (stridor)
- •fever
- •difficulty breathing in severe cases
incubation period
2-6 days
contagious period
the underlying viruses that cause croup are contagious during the first few days of illness, but croup itself is a symptom rather than a specific disease.
notes for parents
croup is caused by viral infections (usually parainfluenza virus) that cause swelling of the upper airway. it is most common in children aged 6 months to 3 years. seek medical attention if your child has difficulty breathing or stridor at rest.
view all exclusion periods
the complete illness-by-illness guide
this guide is for informational purposes only. exclusion periods are based on the NHMRC's Staying Healthy guidelines and were accurate at the time of writing. always consult your child's GP or childcare centre for specific advice. mini mode is not a medical service and is not affiliated with any government department.