Hello- My name is Keith Larsen and I live in Southeast Alaska. I have been experiencing a relatively mild sore throat for the past seven weeks. My doctor thought I may have GERD and prescribed an antacid of some kind which I have been taking before bed for the past two weeks plus, without result. I was thinking back to when the soreness began and thought of a possibility. I work industrial concrete construction and am finishing up a new hydroelectric power-plant in Sitka, Alaska. While finishing up the project it became necessary to retrieve some equipment and gear which had been submerged in a pool outside the plant which had several dozen rotten and decomposing large salmon remains. They were severely decomposed and appeared as though covered in fine grey hair. The stench was horrendous as you may imagine, nevertheless I inadvertently splashed some of the water into my mouth which left me gagging and hacking for the rest of the day. I thought nothing of it but have been wondering about the apparent correlation between this event and the arrival of my now persistent sore throat. Could some kind of bacteria from this stagnant pool have made a home in my esophagus? I also have an odd taste in my mouth occasionally. I have an appointment to return to my doctor in two weeks, but I am not comfortable waiting that long to find out more if I can help it. Please let me know what you think or if you've heard of anything like this happening before- Many thanks, Keith Larsen