6 month old coughing - can't get it up

[AdiVic]

Hello

Both me and my 6 month of DS have had a cold for just under a week, it's going around and everyone seems to have had it. It's the usual, starts sore throat, headache, then ends up on chest, with a productive cough and snotty nose. I seem to have the same symptoms and actually feel ok, but am coughing and can shift it as I am strong enough to do so. My DS seems to be having trouble getting his mucus off his chest. He is ok in himself, no temperature, just snotty and coughing. I have tried calling NHS direct to check with them whether I might need to take him to an out of hours service (the nearest one is over an hour away), but they are exceptionally busy and there is a 4hr call back wait for emergencies!

I'm not an over fussy mum, and dont' go to the docs at every first sneeze, but someone said these things can lead to pneumonia, and not being medically qualified myself, and slightly worried I am not keeping him protected against such horrors!

Any thoughts/experiences??

Many thanks

[LadyMargolotta]

Is he having any trouble breathing? - look out for flare nostrils, and dipping between the ribs. If so, then he needs to be seen immediately.

Apart from that, is he eating/drinking/sleeping normally?

[AdiVic]

only has trouble breathing when having the coughs (as we all do), not flared nostrils, no dipping between ribs, eating/behaving normally. I'm just concerned he can't get the stuff off his chest - wondering if he needs antibiotics, but I get annoyed when docs dish them out like sweets for things like common colds (they won't work).

[ledkr]

Is he making grunting sounds?
My dd has had a horrendous cough for ages I've taken her 3 times and chest is clear.
I'd get her chest checked tbh. In the meantime some vapour rub on chest back and feet yes feet, it seems to work!

[AdiVic]

thank you - will gewt some vapour rub