I am in the same position - I have had a sore throat, enlarged tonsils and glands, itchy ears etc. Since end April.

It started off with what looked like strep throat. I have suffered with my tonsils from a young age so am familiar with symptoms but following two lots of antibiotics through May I am still suffering with the sore throat, neck and furry tongue. My swab results came back yesterday  as no further action required which has made me nervous.

im hoping it’s just viral?!

Hi there

I had positive covid test 12 may..i started my covid symptoms 21 march..sore throat set in after few days and has come and gone and come again many times as i type now it sore and the voice is hoarse speaking lots...paracetomol sprays anti biotics have done nothing for it..i had 2 x ENT private people look down with scope both suggested acid reflux but i never has pre covid and they said lots of inflamation..the ear was like some of you said sore and it is better but i was prescribed flexinose spray suggest tube was blocked i now have ringing in ear one month this not gone... eye in corner middle is weird with feeling like foreign body.. and get jaw pain in joint between upper area throat and throat feela like some of you said tight glands area..had ultrasounds on throat all ok and seen my gp but again all antibiotics no good..i get my ear going in and out sounding now n then too like dull then back.to normal..i since may 12 had few negative covid tests and 2 positive antibody tests..but over 2 months on still throat eye and chest area not right..i did also have not severe but diagnosed xray which said covid pneumonia..

russ

Thanks for the response, it was interesting reading these posts yesterday as it seems that a lot of people have V similar symptoms. It will be interesting to see what the covid test comes back as but at the same time worrying as how people could you have infected in having this if it is over the last few months?

The virus is constantly mutating and effects people differently this is why my GP has sent me for the test but I also will be having bloods & urine done once the paperwork arrives.

Hoping that you all feel better soon - it’s a long and exhausting slog.

Hello everyone, I'm another one that has had similar sore throat symptoms - for over 2 months now. Discomfort in throat, swollen lymph node in neck and achey underarms. Slight ear ache too.  Over the past 2 months, a couple of times the symptoms have gone away - but each time come back 7-10 days later. 

I've had a course of antibiotics (didn't help) and my blood tests came back all fine. My GP's best guess is acid reflux so I'm trying Gaviscon advance for the past 10 days or so but to be honest I've never had reflux issues and I find it hard to believe it is that.

Interesting to hear the previous poster had covid. Seeing increasing reports of people saying they had mild covid symptoms but then struggle with the after effects (such as a sore throat and achey glands) for weeks and months after.

Hoping we all overcome these symptoms soon!

Hi, this is the first forem I've ever joined but reading your symptoms I thought I had to reply. This sounds exactly like me, although I didn't get tested for Covid-19 but I had all the symptoms back in March, they seemed to go after a couple of days but I keep getting a recurring sore throat along with light headed spells and anxiety. The more I read about Covid-19 the more I keep finding similar stories. Thanks for sharing, hope you get well soon.

This has weirdly given me a bit of comfort.  I've had a sore throat for 6 weeks now with what the doc thinks is oral thrush.  However after 3 efforts to get rid of the thrush over 4 weeks, I am now being treated with antibiotics.  I have gastric problems to with acid reflux.  It's really annoying.  I've been told that if the sore throat doesn't go with the antibiotics then I'll be referred to ENT. Thought I was on my own clearly not.  Sounds like the antibiotics probably won't work sadly.  We will see what happens 

Hello all,

I have also had similar experiences. At the start of lockdown around 28th of May I was laying in bed a noticed a swollen lymph node just above my right collarbone. Used doctor google and then scared myself, on a positive note it was tender but the tenderness was not all the time. The next day I had a bit of a sore throat but seemed to come and go (mostly felt sore in the evening?). The lymph node went down a little bit over 3/4 weeks but was still quite large. Saw the doc who just felt the lump and said: "We will get that scanned for you". Didn't look at my throat due to Covid. 

2 weeks later I had an ultrasound which showed that single lymph node still enlarged so while there they did a needle biopsy to check for Lymphoma. 2 weeks later that came back inconclusive so the ENT consultant said best to remove it for a biopsy to get a result. Had that removed with an urgent referral week later (2 weeks ago). Also had a COVID test as the hospital I was to have the op at was a COVID free one. That came back clear.

Still waiting for the results for that. (Try not to think about it too much as it just creates a lot of worries) But all the way through this that on/off sore throat has lingered on and I figured out it was coming from a red area in the back of my mouth, on the soft pallet to right located in front of the tonsil and also had what looked like a cyst on the tonsil that side. I mentioned it to the ENT while I was there having the lymph node removed but he said there looked like nothing concerning there but also took a biopsy of the tonsil cyst too. (Think he's just focused on the lymph node). Thinking it may be a bacterial infection? At no point been given antibiotics? I'm kinda hoping this is the reason the lymph node was swollen....  Not sure whether to wait for the results or speak to my GP.

Oh I'm a 38yo male. :-)

Hi Holly,

I wondered how you were now?! 

I have the EXACT same symptoms as you! Started with a swollen gland in the back of my neck, went on to have a sore throat, struggle to swallow and a lump feeling. Went on to have more swollen glands under neck. Covid test negative they said it must be viral. Also have achy under arms!! Glands stayed swollen and the severe neck ache and mild sore throat is on and off. Glands sometimes hurt but the one that swelled up first doesn't seem to feel too tender. 
 

I'm so worried as they're all symptoms of something more serious, I've had blood tests but they said they aren't too worrying and will check them again. I'm trying not to think about it too much but tempted to call and ask for a scan of them. They might need pushing. How are you getting on now? 
 

Hi Holly,

I wondered how you were now?! 

I have the EXACT same symptoms as you! Started with a swollen gland in the back of my neck, went on to have a sore throat, struggle to swallow and a lump feeling. Went on to have more swollen glands under neck. Covid test negative they said it must be viral. Also have achy under arms!! Glands stayed swollen and the severe neck ache and mild sore throat is on and off. Glands sometimes hurt but the one that swelled up first doesn't seem to feel too tender. 
 

I'm so worried as they're all symptoms of something more serious, I've had blood tests but they said they aren't too worrying and will check them again. I'm trying not to think about it too much but tempted to call and ask for a scan of them. They might need pushing. How are you getting on now? 
 

Hey, 

Finding this post has been a real relief, 

Im a 25 y/o female and had Covid in March and since then have had a repeatedly sore throat that comes and goes. This time it's lasted 6 weeks. It feels hard to swallow, tickly at times with itchy/achey ears, i have shortness of breath too but im not sure if this is just because I'm anxious . The DR has given me antibiotics which haven't done anything so far, im guessing after reading this they probably won't work. Definitely going to book in another appointment to rule out anything sinister, but very possible this is a long covid symptom.

Thanks for sharing similar symptoms, im feeling less alone now! X

Hi Han,

I'm a 25 year old female too, I haven't had covid that I know of but similar symptoms to what you say. Do you have any swollen glands or achy underarms at all? Those are my biggest worries as it's been a couple of months now! I have had gastritis and acid reflux so perhaps the sore throat is to do with that more than anything else.
 

thanks! 
Chloe x

Hi Chloe, 

Yes have had swollen glands in my throat that come and go, and my tonsils have been swollen too. Haven't had the achey underarms but general muscle aches and tiredness!

Im sure it's just that, but i know what it's like to worry. I always make the mistake of googling my symptoms! 

I hope you feel better soon x

Thank you for replying! 
 

Yes I hope you feel better too :) 

chloe x

Hi again everyone,

After doing some research I've found this and thought it would be helpful to share as it sounds a lot like what most people are talking about! Post viral fatigue syndrome or chronic fatigue syndrome. Of course symptoms are similar to lots of other illnesses so still see a doctor, I will be but it has made me feel less panicky.

Hope this helps! 
 

www.nhs.uk/.../ 

www.nhs.uk/.../

Hi, 

I am 31 years old and just had my 3rd baby. My symptoms started from my third trimesters. Dr's kept saying its because of acid reflux and had itcy armpits. (right side). After having my baby I developed lumps under my right armpit so I was referred to 2ww and results were normal. They said it was extra breast tissue

I've had a sore throat for 6 weeks now. Swollen glands and red spots, tongue feels sore and left ear ache. Also don't know if it's related i get pains in my stomach too. I have been referred to ENT. I had to constantly call the Dr's to do this. Obviously my biggest concern is cancer. But this post has helped a little as so many people are getting the same symptoms but no one seem to have had a definitive answer yet as too what it might be. Still waiting on my ENT appt.

I never had covid 

Thanks

Sal

Hey everyone!

Im another one with these symptoms.
-Sore throat for 5 weeks
-mostly on left hand side

-hurts more when I swallow

-worse at night

-feels dry, scratchy or like a small foreign body is there

-occasionally it catches & I have to cough but we are talking once a week or so

-recently had a negative Covid test

-never suffered from sore throat before (for more than a couple of days & without progressing into a cold)

-throat looks redder than usual but no obvious ulceration

Started worrying about it and came across this blog, which has made me feel much better. Seems that it is a common viral infection going around, possibly IS a Covid symptom & test gave unreliable result perhaps. 
 

Hmmmm

Hi all, 

UPDATE: Just had ENT appointment it lasted about 3 mins, said he's not worried they just feel like lymph nodes. Booked me an ultrasound at the private hospital where this appointment was as the NHS one still hasn't come through (although it's all still covered by NHS which is good). So suppose just wait for that now. Not as relieved as I hoped to be as it was so quick and didn't feel thorough like I had hoped but suppose the scan might offer me that final reassurance. Have to remember he's a specialist and knows a lot more than me and my google searches so need to find some peace in his lack of concern.

------

As always this thread is comforting. Got my ENT on Monday. Really worried as neck pain and lumps seem to be getting worse. I will keep you all updated bit hoping for the best for us all.

It is strange how many of us are reporting very similar symptoms that aren't typical of a normal virus so maybe we are just carrying something a bit different this year. 
 

hi hope your symptoms have eased by now. I think you are right. This is a real covid symptom. I had sore irritated throat - soft pallet area. It was eased with Gaviscon advance. It’s 8 weeks in and although my symptoms which doc put down to LPR have improved I am still having discomfort on left side of my throat. It feels like inflammation or scaring or a lesion which is getting irritated by certain foods or drinks, hence I am being careful with what I eat. Got referral for ent but getting an appointment is near impossible so may get doc to give me a private referral. Some days this condition is okay but some days it isn’t. Very strange that so many are complaining about this or very similar condition. 

Hi

I had COVID April 2020 , loss of taste and smell for about 5 months, ringing in my ears which cones and goes

fully vaccinated by beginning of June 2021

have been experiencing throat aches , dry stuffy nose,painful mouth with what feels like mouth ulcers and earaches since end of June

have gone privately to the GP as could not get any appointments with my GP. She also diagnosed a small lump in my ear. 

referred to ENT and will post with any outcomes