asthma?

Around a month and a half or two months ago, I had strep and was treated. The only symptom I had was very slight sore throat and sore glands under my jaws. On a rare occasion one of my glands would even feel like it had a muscle spasm. I went back to my doctor later and she said I no longer had strep and that my glands were not swollen. One tonsil was a little larger than the other but she said she thought it was fine. Now I have noticed that my throat feels congested and full sometimes, not always however and once in a while one or both of my glands will ache a little. I also sometimes feel it is a little harder to breathe although I can exercise fine. I do seem to get out of breath easier now after just going up steps. Once after I had a really bad bout of pneumonia (2005), the doctor said I had asthma and should use an inhaler. I never did because I didn't think it was bad enough. I have hesitated going to the doctor since these symptoms are not bad and not all day long and my insurance has a $10,000. deductible! I just wanted to see if you thought it was due to asthma or something else and if there was any way it could be cancer. By the way, sometimes I will have a little head ache and sneeze but not much.

Thanks for your time!!!

[National Jewish Health]

Sounds like the strep was treated appropriately and eradicated.  Even so, your tonsil may remain enlarged for a while and that would account for your feeling that your throat is "congested or full."  This could also be a little anxiety about having been sick.

Strep can sometimes cause pneumonia but nothing in your message suggests that.  Asthma is a possibility and it could have been aggravated by the strep.  Sounds mild at this time and you probably don't need treatment.  But, if the shortness of breath persists or worsens, you should definitely have your doctor check your lungs, deductible or not.  Shortness of breath is almost never a symptom of lung cancer.  If you are young and a non-smoker, there is no reason to consider this diagnosis.

The best thing you could do is to get physically active and try not to focus on your body and your health.