My son says if he is coughing it feels like his throat is getting ripped open, his throat burns and he says if he is lying down he is struggling to breath due to a blocked nose?

Doctor can examine: Throat pain can be from a strep throat infection (antibiotics are needed), a cold or influenza (antibiotics usually not used), or from some other cause such as allergies, post-nasal drip from sinusitis, or other viruses. Usually, one sees the doctor if the sore throat is bothersome (as in this case), recurrent, or doesn't go away quickly... mainly to see if prescription meds are needed.