7 Month Old with RAD or Allergies?

[steinmetz]

My seven month old has had a runny nose (clear mucus) and cough for around one month.  In the past week he has had difficulty sleeping at night, increased fussiness, and a preference for being held upright.  

I took him to the pediatrician today and she did a brief check and said that he didn't have an ear infection, prescribed an albuterol nebulizer treatment four times a day, zantac, and zyrtec for reflux (he spits up less than one teaspoon, maybe twice a day) and allergies.  She wrote on the prescription that he was getting the albuterol for RAD.

She was in a hurry and I didn't get an opportunity to ask questions and I felt like she too quickly diagnosed my son.  Is this diagnosis pretty typical?  Is it possible that he simply has a virus (such as RSV)?  Is RAD a life-long problem or can it be temporary?  Is RAD synonymous with asthma?  And could he have reflux problems if he only spits up twice a day?