Try running a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier in your child's room at night to make breathing easier. Don't hesitate to at least call if you're concerned. In general, I recommend that parents bring their children in if an illness lasts more than two weeks or seems to be worsening after one week. Come in right away when a rash is involved, or if the child has a fever that doesn't subside in a few days. A child who has ear pain, severe pain anywhere, trouble breathing or wheezing also needs to be seen.
Many parents wonder at what point a child needs antibiotics.
Most cold-like conditions are caused by viruses, which don't respond to antibiotics. There is considerably more reluctance to prescribe antibiotics these days unless there are pretty clear indications that they are needed. Experts now realize that overuse of antibiotics contributes to the development of drug-resistant strains of bacteria. Parents of young children who always seem to be sick often worry that their child may have an underlying problem, such as an immune disorder. I can usually reassure parents that this is very unlikely.