5. Fatigue
Any illness can take a toll on the body and make the sufferer tired. Croup can make it hard to breathe, sleep, and eat, which can cause severe fatigue. As the body fights the illness, it uses a lot of energy, which makes a person more tired.
If the body is not getting enough oxygen because of labored breathing, fatigue can be severe. Since children have smaller airways than adults, they can struggle to get enough oxygen and may have worse fatigue. Children are also more likely to suffer from fevers, more sever hacking, and crying spells, which can make the fatigue worse.
Rest is the best way to deal with the fatigue, but treating the underlying cause is essential. Once the croup infection clears up, and the airways open up for better breathing, the fatigue may subside.
If an adult or child becomes too lethargic, seek medical attention to rule out a serious problem.