I've recently started a new job, mainly outdoors, and one family member right now has a cold. Four days ago while outside, I suddenly got a very sore throat; it doesn't hurt when I cough, just when I swallow. I thought it could be a cold, but its been days now and I feel perfectly fine. It just doesn't go away.

What could this be?

Thanks.

We'll need a little more info. Do you have a fever? Spots on your tonsils? Do you have allergies? It is a high time for allergies right now, that could be it. Do you have any other symptoms of a cold? Sneezing, coughing, etc?

I usually have seasonal allergies, but I have never had any problems with my throat like this when spring came. I don't have any other signs of a fever or cold or anything unusual. All I have is extra mucus in my nostrils due to the season, and that happens every year.

How would you check to see if spots are on your tonsils?

I take a flashlight and open wide and say aaaaaaaaah LOL. Works well, actually. You may also have post nasal drip, that can cause a sore throat. While you're checking your tonsils, see if the back of your throat is coated in something nasty. Lemme know what you find! :)

Well, it is kinda mucus-coated, but I really dont know if it's a normal or excessive amount. There are a couple red spots on 'disco-ball of the mouth'. There's also some white stuff on the tonsils, but from what I've read here, that's nothing too serious.

I did a bit of research on Nasal drip and that seems most probable. Like I mentioned, I have been working outdoors with allergies and have probably been sucking back some of the mucus in my nose that I don't have time to blow.

I know that whenever it's cold/allergy season my length of time for sore throats have varied anywhere from 3 days to about a week depending on what I've contracted. I would wait at least a week and see how it progresses. Even 'if' it's strep it's not harmful to wait a little bit as the body can also build up antibodies during this time. So 'they' say. Gargle gargle and gargle. Feel better :)

If you have white spots on your tonsils, I would recommed seeing a dr, because it could be strep and that in turn can affect your heart.

Really? Strep Throat? I don't really feel like I have a fever or anything.

I had mono and strep and never went above 98.4... you can have the symptoms without having a temp. Depends on what the white patches look like, though.

Strep hurts a lot most times. Most likely you would have already been at the doctor if you had strep. (but then again who knows I am not a doctor.) Tonsils can get white even if your body is trying to fight a cold. If you don't feel increasingly better or get worse go see the doctor for sure.