Throat Issues?

Hi there.  I don't know if I am on the right forum or not.  I am a 47 year old female.  I have a horrible cold/flu 2 months ago and managed to get another horrible cold right when I finishing up the first one.  I have manged to get rid of most of my bubbly cough but my throat doesn't feel right.  I cough constantly because of a kind of tickle in it. The tickle gets worse when I lift up my chin (sounds strange but true).  I still have a bit of bubbliness and sometimes when I take a deep breath I can hear a sort of whistle sound from my lungs.  I am embarrased to say that I do smoke - not much - only three of four a day.  I am wondering if you think this sounds like throat cancer and larynx cancer or something??  I am actually scared to go to the doctor. I have no other health ailments except this darn thing I can't shake off.

[National Jewish Health]

No, there is nothing in your description to suggest that you have cancer, either of the throat or your lungs.  The “whistle” in your lungs suggests that you may have asthma or bronchitis.  It is not uncommon for a “horrible cold” or any of a variety of viral respiratory infections to set off asthma or a lingering bronchitis.  Another possibility is that your initial illness may have been whooping cough, a not uncommon infection of adults, these days.

You have no reason to be “scared” to go to a doctor.  When you do, you should have an examination of your throat and lungs and, given the duration of your illness, you should also have a chest X-ray.  This would be an especially good time for you to try to stop smoking, as whatever has irritated your throat and lungs can only be made worse and/or take longer to resolve, by just 3-4 cigarettes a day.

Good luck

[Carrie41]

Thank you so much for your comments.