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

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? 
 

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

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

hi 

Reading your symptoms I realised how similar they are to what I suffer with. I read something a retired dentist wrote online regarding LPR and GERD he was also a reflux sufferer and he put everything in perspective for me. The irritation and soreness in the mouth and throat can be from reflux and it’s not always acid reflux sometimes it can be silent reflux which can over a period of time cause the tissues in the mouth soft pallet and gums and throat too, amongst other areas to become very sore and inflamed. You can’t see the comments on there from people who are really suffering with this condition and getting nowhere with GP’s.  I am after a bad bout on ppi’s to restrict the gas it’s only been just over a week so not sure if they’re going to work. Two days after my 2nd vaccine I cold mild cold symptoms. I then contracted a bad episode of LPR followed by a UTI my mouth was left pretty raw. It could take two months to completely health. So it’s water and bland food only until it improves. Gaviscon advance has been a life saver as it controls the irritation. I also took the opportunity to request a ENT referral whilst I could too as I wasn’t offered one by GP. I will also find the Dentists post too when  I find it   

I hope this post helps others maybe consider this condition as a possibility when they see their doctor. 

Hi

i have been to ENT and yes silent reflux with the treatment of Gaviscon and some pills to line my stomach

the ringing in my ears is getting worse, my ears feel very weird and I don't feel that the throat is getting that much better although not as raw anymore

Stress and a lack of sleep is being named amongst the food which can aggravate the stomach

I am not convinced though that it does not relate to me having the second vaccine 

I have had reflux before in my life and stress is something we all life with on a daily basis 

I hope that as more people have similar complaints they will look into this properly 

Hello Everyone, I have been having these symptoms too. The sore throat is the worse. It started after my 2nd vaccine. I have never had COVID-19 ( I have done numerous tests for various reasons). I have pain to swallow and eat. For over 4 weeks now. I keep asking the GP to take the situation seriously. GP recently said it may be silent reflux. I have never had this. And this diagnosis was done over the phone. So no real help from GP. I asked for an ENT referral and GP said not yet. I really do not know how much more I can take. My next step is to pay for a private doctor and ENT to get some attention on this. I agree with some of the poster's here that there is something sinister that no one is acknowledging and providing more information on. 

Hey all, 

I've  been having the same issues on and off for the past 2 years or so. It all started when I started smoking again. it started off  with a Feeling of a lump in my throat that moved. Like something was living in my throat and crawling around.  Then my throat was sore on and off. I've seen five different ENT consultants and one private but still no answers.  After bloods, MRI and ultrasound all coming back fine it was put down to silent reflux so was given omoprzol 40mg a day for two weeks then drop it down to 20mg a day. They seemed to work at first but then as always it came back, so I stopped taking them. 
then Covid got in the way so I learnt to live with it till now. All week it's been really bad, pain in my ear, swollen gland on the right side only, tingling in my cheek and feeling unwell. I've been to the dentist as I could feel a lump in my cheek (got the all clear) however, was told I have a stone in the salivary glad but she didn't think it would cause all the issues I've been having. I'm now booked in for another MRI scan as I want to get to the bottom of it. It could just be a cyst, Nadia drip, silient reflux, tonsil stones, premenopausal or blocked gland. I just keep thinking if it was C I'd have a lot more symptoms by now.... 

the really odd thing is after being ill and in pain all week, it's completely gone again tonight and I feel back to normy(until it comes again) I'm told C doesn't come and go. 
 

keep pushing the medics till you get somewhere and please don't think negative or read google too much as it usually points to the worst. 

Hi everyone, I had a major a-ha moment when reading this chat and I had to contribute!

So I'm the same as a lot of you - recurring sore throats that make me feel like I've got a cold/flu - I feel hot, have a headache and generally feel crap. I've been prone to tonsillitis in the past.

Some of the comments in here about masks made me think and I looked back at when I've contacted my doctor and what I'd been doing in the days before.

I've spent most of the past 18 months at home, mask free, but when I looked back at my calendar I noticed something amazing:

I went to a garden centre in mid July and wore my mask for a good while, 3 days later I contacted the dr with a sore throat.

When I got my hair done at the end of July, 3 days later I contacted the dr with a sore throat.

On Tuesday (31 Aug) I was at the vets for a while, wearing my mask the whole time and now I have a sore throat…and tomorrow is the 3rd day and I've been googling a sore throat today and thinking about contacting the dr!

What if it’s my bloody mask? It seems that every time I’ve worn it for a while I get a sore throat. And do you know what? I haven’t washed it which sounds disgusting (and now I'm embarrassed), but I barely wore it for long - apart from a handful of times…maybe it's been my mask all along?

Can anyone else find any patterns like this?