Mayo Clinic Minute: What to do if your child has croup

If your child has a loud "barking" cough; fever; and noisy, high-pitched breathing, he or she may have a viral respiratory illness called croup.

Dr. Robert Jacobson says while croup usually isn't serious, it can be scary for both children and parents.

If home measures fail, Dr. Jacobson says the child should be seen by a health care provider emergently. If you ever fear your child cannot breathe, call 911.