my oldest (20 yrs old) HATES the hypertonic saline and so the docs do not make him do it...if it burns and is causing trouble, your child needs to not do it...tell the doctors! If it comes to a treatment's benefits outweighing the side effects, the docs will help you come to a choice. Sounds like his lungs are not bad, so why irritate them? Whether he has CF, or not, you need to educate yourself, ask questions, take notes, challenge the doctors, rely on the nurses, and, if it's CF, you need to lead your child just like you do with everything! CF treatments need to be just as essential and regular as brushing teeth or going to the bathroom. If it's CF you will need to call on your personal inner strength (trust me, it's there!!) and learn to LEARN everything!! Don't be faint-hearted!