Croup is contagious for about 3 days after symptoms first appear or until the fever is gone. During this time, the virus causing croup can spread easily through coughing and respiratory droplets
. Some sources note that the contagious period may extend up to 7 to 10 days after symptoms develop, especially since the incubation period can last 2 to 7 days, and the virus can be spread even before symptoms appear
. However, the general recommendation is to keep children home from school or daycare for at least 3 days and until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication
. In summary:
- Contagious period: About 3 days after symptom onset or until fever resolves, sometimes up to 7-10 days.
- Children should remain isolated from others during this period to prevent spread.
- Fever-free for 24 hours is a common guideline to return to normal activities.
The symptoms of croup typically last 3 to 5 days, but a mild cough may linger longer
