Sore throat on one side (following a cold)

[Beasley]

Hi,
I came down with a cold in the beginning of November which started with the bad sore throat, running/plugged nose, cough, etc.  I'm now in my third week with the nose now being clear (periodically it runs), coughing every once in awhile (sometimes with phlegm, but mostly dry).  My questions is - I still have irritation of my throat, more on the right side than the left.  I would describe it as a pressure feeling??  Sometimes it seems to radiate up into the lower inside area of my right ear?  I have been to my family Dr. - no swollen glands or tonsils, but she did say my avula was white?  My ear looked fine when she checked it.  
When I swallow, I sometimes feel like a popping feeling in my ear?  Is this just residual from my cold?  My throat was very sore with the cold and I lost my voice.  I still have "morning voice" most of the day.
I'm a breastfeeding mother so don't take any kind of medication.  I have been sucking lots of fisherman friends lozenges.  I'm just getting frustrated because everything I read says that a sore throat should clear up in a few days.  I should also mention that I had a strep swab done and it was neg.  I hope that you can provide some answers as to why I would still have throat problems 3 weeks after cold?

Thanks!

[National Jewish]

Since you are still having throat problems your doctor should check you again.  A sinus infection or a strep throat infection could be the cause.  It is possible to get a false negative strep culture.