This shouldn't cost money. Will you email me anyway even if I don't pay? I fell like that's what doctors should do. Anyway, Ihave had a cold for 9 days, but in the past few days it has worsened. My right tonsil is very swollen and has white patches on it. I occasionally get tonsil stones, but I can't see well enough to know if that's what the white patches are. Swallowing causes severe pain. My head throbs when I change positions. My ears hurt- the right one more than the left. Yesterday my doctor tested for strep- negative- and said it is likely a virus that will resolve on its own (I assumed it was tonsilitis). Since then, I have noticed a new flesh colored lump that looks just like tonsils, but a little further back towards my throat than my tonsil (again, right side only). My uvula also looks a bit raw. I have had a fluctuating fever, have been getting the chills as well as sweating a lot. 400mg of ibuprofen every 4 hours is not making a big difference in my throat pain, but helped my headache a bit. I have also been drinking plenty of water. This is getting very uncomfortable, what else can I do? Should I be concerned about something more serious?