My throat has been hurting for over a week now, but it doesn t feel like a cold or allergy related hurt. It almost feels as if I had been screaming for hours on end, and feels like I have something stuck in my throat. It also has been making my ears pop. When I looked in the mirror, I saw a streak of whiteish yellowish on the back wall of my throat, but I thought that might just be mucus. Hot drinks and salty foods help. Any ideas?