how long does the average cold/cough last for 20 month olds?

[nycmom18]

our doctor told us 5-7 days. its been 8 for my 20 month old ds.

his nose hasnt stopped running on and off and his cough is sounding a bit wet. other than that he seems fine. eating, drinking, sleeping playing etc. no fever the entire time.

aside from the nose and cough, i dont see a reason to be worried,but should i? could pneumonia be a possibility even without a fever?

what else to be concerned about? how long would you mommas let this run? any help or advice of past experiences are greatly appreciated!

[sbgrace]

Our pediatrician told us that while they average cold will last about a week sometimes they can go as long as two weeks and this is more common in kids. What you're watching for in my experience in terms of something else going on are better, then worse symptom wise or fever resolves/was never there and then spikes high--that sort of thing--in addition to something obvious like breathing difficulty or whatever. A 10 day cold isn't something that would worry me in itself.

[PlayaMama]

Originally Posted by sbgrace

Our pediatrician told us that while they average cold will last about a week sometimes they can go as long as two weeks and this is more common in kids. What you're watching for in my experience in terms of something else going on are better, then worse symptom wise or fever resolves/was never there and then spikes high--that sort of thing--in addition to something obvious like breathing difficulty or whatever. A 10 day cold isn't something that would worry me in itself.

i totally agree. sometimes the runny noses hang on for awhile around here long after everything else is back to normal.

i'd be wary of the wet cough though, is he hacking up stuff? having difficulties breathing at all? is it getting better or worse?

[nycmom18]

not hacking up or breathing difficulties, but how do kids actually get rid of the mucus? because they dont actually cough it up, if they do, they just swallow it again?? ah being a mother is very worrisome at times

[Marnica]

My 20 month old is sick with exact same sxs as you describe right now....
today is day 8 as well. I'm seeing improvement and that is what is importanmt IMO.

If your LO worsens or additional sxs arise, then perhaps be concerned. This little tidbit from Dr. Sears put my mind at ease as well. he basically says if your child has had a cold WITH NO IMPROVEMENT for 10 days, or if sxs worsen, then it may need evaluation by a doctor.

and about cough up the gunk, they do cough it up and swallow it, which is harmless.

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/11/T081000.asp

[PlayaMama]

i just meant if the cough was productive. like, can you hear things moving around in there when he coughs? or is he just coughing and coughing and coughing without getting anywhere?

i wouldn't be worried in your situation but if it went on a lot longer and the cough seemed to be getting worse or if he then spiked a fever i'd be concerned.

[nycmom18]

thanks for all the replies! update: 10 days later hes finally over it! i guess it does just take longer sometimes. the runny nose nad coughing pretty much lasted the whole duration an the last two days gradually lessened and one day voila! all gone. i just hate it when he's sick thanks again!