Oh love, sleep deprivation sux. I would just try and ride it out while he is sick. Like you say, there is no point trying to fix anything when he is unwell. IT will get better.
When its been happeneing for a few nights you feel like '**** this is what it is going to be like forever!' But then a few days down the track he will improve out of sight and it will all seem like a bad dream.
Not that that makes you feel any better right now, but when he is feeling himself his sleep will get better too.
I guess it could also be seperation anxiety, he knows this is the long stint where mummy is going to leave him, again the lovey that smells like you might help..... just thinking outloud

Yeah dont get me started on MG women and their germs. One bought her bub who had been at the RCH on Sunday for his long standing viral cough to MG???? What are some people thinking? seriously. The same woman had a cold and got a big dollop of sugary cream/custard on her finger and fed it to Lu? Again....WTF???? anyhooo, i'll stop ranting now.