Hello. I am a 34 yr old male, overweight, moderate drinker/smoker, otherwise healthy. I have been sick with some sort of upper respiratory bug for six days. The first three days were heavy coughing/sneezing/fatigue/sore throat/fever of 100-102 degrees. No real chest involvement, coughing was due to heavy drip I think. Symptoms began to lessen on the fourth day and continue to improve. Now mild cough, no sneezing, but fever remains 101-102 degrees. Also, I have developed a tenderness/pain very deep in my throat (i.e., not tonsils,) roughly behind the cricoid cartilage. It's not constant, just when I breathe deeply or drink large gulps. I have never experienced this exact pain before and am worried about, e.g., abcess.