Persistent Cough in 12mo

[TBJP]

DS (aged just over 1yr old) has had a slight cough for about 3 weeks now. It's not that bad - not very hacking, no phlegm, and doesn't seem to be bothering him, but we are a bit concerned as it's been 3 weeks. He doesn't have other cold symptoms either.
Should we be concerned? Is persistent coughing harming his throat? Should I bother the GP? Or just give it a bit more time, and it will go of its own accord?
Thanks.

[AKMD]

Bother the GP. I have coughs that go on and on like this, as does DS, and we both need inhalers to sort them out.

[TBJP]

Thanks. Have got an appt for tomorrow.

Hope you and your DS are ok!

[AKMD]

Great, I hope it goes well for you. We're fine, just a bit wheezy :)

[Flossbert]

Agree with AKMD. Get it checked out, although the doctor may not be willing to do anything. Took DD at 12 months to doctors after persistent cough for five weeks - said she was probably mildly asthmatic, but wouldn't be able to properly diagnose until she was 2. She still has the cough now, but like you said OP, it doesn't really bother her.

[loreli]

just beware. My 20 month old had a persistant wet cough for 10 months. I went to the drs over 15 times. I was treated like a crazy mum and was first told the usual "its a virus" then told its asthma and we were given two types of inhaler. Cough got worse so I went to the hospital. They put him to sleep and went into his lungs with a camera. His lungs were full of bacteria and secretions and the consultant was "shocked" at how this had not been picked up and treated by antibiotics. We were in hospital for two weeks where we we put though all kinds of awful tests and they finally discoverd he had three types of bacteria in his lungs including sudamonia which causes scarring of the lungs. He is now on lenghty oral antibiotics, physio twice a day and a nebuliser twice a day which he hates. My consultant told me any cough that goes on for more than six weeks needs antibiotics - it is not a virus or asthma. We are learning this the hard way.

[TBJP]

Oh my goodness, loreli, that is just dreadful. Your poor child! Thank you for sharing that story, and you too, flossbert. I took DS to the GP, she had a good look at him, checked his chest from front and back, looked down his throat, said if he had no other symptoms (temperature, upset, not eating as per usual), to come back, but otherwise, is not unusual in a child of this age. But I will bear your tale. Did the consultant give any indication as to wear your son got the bacteria from, how he caught it? Will your son be back to normal, or might there be permanent damage? I hope he will be fine soon.

Alms, glad all is ok with your lo.