DS (4) had cough for 3-4 weeks. Go to doctor or not?

[qk]

Not sure whether to take DS to the doctor. He's 4.3 and has had a cough for 3-4 weeks. It was something he picked up at nursery I think. I have had it as well for that time, but mine has improved to the point that it is hardly noticeable. However, DS has still got the cough and I am worried because he has not got better. He seems fine during the day, the cough doesn't make him feel ill (was the same for me). He coughs a bit in the day with it, but around 4-6am in the mornings this week, he has been up coughing (a lot) so this morning I put him on the sofa under a duvet so that he could sit up straight. This has helped the coughing significantly and I don't know what to do now. How do I know if it has turned into a chest infection for him? Although he has a cough, he does not really feel unwell and he has not had a temperature. Does a chest infection always give a temp? I am worried about him getting a chest infection and getting really ill. It will be hard to get a docs appt and I will need to take an emergency one - just not sure if he needs it.

...he's currently fighting with his sister...but he was really bad earlier...still no idea what to do

Both my boys 4 and had a cough for about 3 weeks. They have both had to have antibiotics and they were still able to fight with each other! They have never had a chest infection before. Personally I would go to the doctors before the weekend just to be sure
Hope he's better soon.

Do.

My dh is a GP and says anyone who has had a cough for 3 weeks or more, regardless of age, should see a doc.

He does want to put a sign up in his waiting room that says "if you haven't had your cough for at least a fortnight, go home!"

OK thanks, I've phoned the docs and will go this afternoon. It's really hard when DS is so bad in the morning, it almost goes totally away and then it's bad the following night/morning. But at least I'll know if I see the doctor.

Pixie - do you think that it could be asthma if he hasn't had anything else that would indicate it? We do have asthma in the family and we strongly suspect DD (2) is asthmatic, but DS is now 4.3 and we have seen nothing to suggest it in him. Does it sometimes just appear like this?

Update - DS has chest infection + antibiotics now, so hopefully on the mend soon. Thanks for everyone's help.

Glad you've been able to see someone and get some antibiotics before the weekend.