I have to tell you Holly, this actually happened to me once. I coughed so hard that I fainted from lack of oxygen. I had just gotten up out of a chair, and was on my way to get a kleenex when it all went blank. Next thing I know, I am on the floor, with a big raspberry on my face (where it slid on the carpet) and a broken wooden trash can that I clipped on the way down.
It was really weird, as I have never lost consciousness before. I went to the hospital, and my bronchitis was so bad, they gave me steroids to clear up the cough as well as antibiotic. From that point on, I don't mess around with a cold (which for me will always turn into bronchitis if I don't get on meds right away).
I know Tyler's is viral, but keep your eye on him, and don't let him get up if he is coughing violently.