My eight month old grandson has had a cough for the past month.  The past 10 days, hes periodically sluggish with an occasional low grade fever.  One minute hes clingy and whiny and the next hes zipping around in his walker.  His sleep patterns are off.  Hes had chest and nose congestion for a few weeks as well.  Hes been to the doctors twice and its blown off as a cold.  Is this a normal amount of time for a cold for a child this age?  The only medicine suggested was Tylenol.
HelloViral respiratory infection up to 8-10 times a year is common in infancy. But if infection is severe enough so that hospital admission is needed then proper evaluation is needed. Symptoms of viral infection usually subsides within 7-8 days. If there is positive family history of allergy in family, allergic cause of respiratory distress should be ruled out. Symptoms due to hyperreactive airway disease(allergic) may persist for longer duration. Congestion and noisy breathing can be due to airway spasm. Nebulization or oral bronchodilator helps in relieving the spasm. Nasal saline Chat Doctor. You can give Tylenol for fever. I would suggest you to consult your pediatrician for revaluation and management accordingly. Regards