My 5 year old caught a cold 3 weeks ago. had fever on day 1. he's happy & energetic now, but he's had a lingering cough for 2 weeks. problem?

Mgt: If his cough has continued to improve over the course of two weeks, and he is happy/energetic/resuming his routine, the cough is unlikely to cause any chronic difficulties. If the cough is not improving/worsening and disturbing his sleep, I would recommend evaluation in the next seven to ten days. If he spikes a fever, he should be seen sooner.

The most common: reason for persistent cough after a viral infection is Reactive Airway Disease (RAD). RAD = mild Asthma, in which a child has spasm of the small airways manifested by coughing, but not audible wheezing or trouble breathing. His pediatrician can diagnose this. Another possibility is " walking pneumonia" from a viral or Mycoplasma infection. Don't give cold/ cough meds under age 6. Take him in.