Approx 40 hours ago I ate a bunch of french fries. I didn't chew them enough and it was incredibly painful when I swallowed. The worst "Painful swallow" I've had when eating sharp/hard food I didn't chew enough. My throat doesn't hurt much, but it feels "dry". Coincidentally I'm also coming off of a cold. I'm afraid to eat large meals or hard foods for fear I cut my esophagus. Are there some surefire ways I'd know if there was infection, or an actual cut? A constant pain? Currently the back of my throat is a bit sore, but may be inflammed due to a cold. I get anxious and am a bit of hypochondriac, so I think I'm overthinking this. I don't have a family doctor and our hospitals are overcrowded, so going to a hospital seems foolish just to get this checked out.