The CDC reports that parainfluenza virus, the main cause of croup, is elevated across the country this summer. Croup brings a distinctive barking cough and sometimes a squeaky sound when breathing in. The good news: most cases are mild and get better at home in a few days. Your pediatrician can help you know when a cough needs a closer look.
Friday, July 3, 2026Respiratory
A Barking Cough This Summer? It's Likely Croup
Parainfluenza virus is elevated nationally, and croup cases are rising
The Teddy Editorial Desk · Grounded in AAP & CDC guidance
In Brief
The Briefing
Explainer
What Croup Sounds Like
Croup makes a cough that sounds like a barking seal, often worse at night. Some children also make a squeaky sound, called stridor, when breathing in.
Tips
Simple Comfort Steps at Home
Keep your child calm, sit them upright, and try cool night air or a cool-mist humidifier. Offer plenty of fluids and rest.
Guidance
Two Summer Viruses to Know
Parainfluenza and human metapneumovirus are both running high this season. Neither has a vaccine yet, so everyday steps like handwashing matter most.
Prevention
Handwashing Still Wins
Summer camps and daycares mean lots of close contact. Regular handwashing and covering coughs are the best ways to slow these viruses.
Questions
What Parents Are Asking
For the Clinic
Clinic Takeaway
With parainfluenza elevated nationally, expect a summer bump in croup calls and after-hours visits. Consider proactive messaging to families of young children with clear home-care guidance and specific red flags (stridor at rest, retractions, drooling) so caregivers know when to seek care. A short triage script can help staff reassure worried parents while catching the small number of children who need to be seen.
Source: CDC Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel; AAP croup guidance
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