Pain when chewing/swallowing, worried about oral/throat cancer

[scienceyguy99]

On January the 26th I started getting neck pain which then led to a headache. On the 27th I had swollen lymph nodes in my neck. I slowly got sicker and for 2-3 days had minimal energy/appetite and a bad neck pain + pretty bad headache. Went away on its own after a while.

Now the throat/mouth problems started mildy at the beginning but by new years eve I had issues swallowing properly (it felt "bumpy" to swallow). That problem resolved slowly and then the pain began. After finally feeling 'normal" a few days ago and back to full appetite, I still have pains when chewing/swallowing on my right side.

The pain is located in my right tonsil and I also "feel" a soft and very small "lump" kind of near my right tonsil somewhere in the right side of my mouth/near the throat. Looking in the mirror, I can barely see a white-ish look on my right tonsil. This has gone on for about a week or so with no improvements. Acidic things don't bother it, but rough foods do a bit.

Also, I'm 19 years old/dont smoke/drink occasionally/don't use chewing tobacco.

Is this something to be worried about cancer-wise? I read it developed painlessly if it is cancer... Or is it probably tonsilitis or a couple canker sores?

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

It could most probably be tonsillitis and a throat infection. Throat pain, difficulty swallowing, fever, scratchiness in the throat, post nasal drip, malaise and loss of appetite are symptoms of tonsillitis. Also, white patches are common in many throat infections. The sore throat and tonsillitis which you had may have contributed to it. In response to the infection the body produces soft white debris which collects in the tiny indentations in the tonsils called crypts. Consult your primary care physician who will do blood tests and take a throat swab to determine the cause and prescribe appropriate medications.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[scienceyguy99]

I've gurgled salt water too without any benefit.