Hello, my name is Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi. I understand your concern. ​If your child has a sore throat, cough, or runny nose,he don t need antibiotics to treat a respiratory illness. In fact, antibiotics can do more harm than good. Antibiotics fight bacteria, not viruses.Colds and flu are caused by viruses. Some advices that I can give to you are: -Runny Nose: Just suction or blow it. And remember, when your child’s nose runs like a faucet, it’s getting rid of viruses. -Blocked Nose: Use nasal washes. Use saline nose spray or drops to loosen up dried mucus, followed by blowing or suctioning the nose. If these are not available, warm water will work fine. Instill 2 to 3 drops in each nostril. Do one side at a time. Then suction or blow. -Sticky, Stubborn Mucus: Remove with a wet cotton swab. -Medicines: There is no medicine that can remove dried mucus or pus from the nose. -Fluids: Help your child drink plenty of fluids. Staying well hydrated thins the body’s secretions, making it easier to cough and blow the nose. -Humidity: If the air in your home is dry, use a humidifier. Moist air keeps nasal mucus from drying up and lubricates the airway. Running a warm shower for a while can also help humidify the air. Hope my answer was helpful, if you have any other questions I ll be glad to help, thanks!