Just a little concerned

I am 31 yrs old.A male.Have been smokig since I was 13 yrs old.I have just gotten over strep throat.I noticed that on the left side of my throat right under the jaw line thatit is swollen alittle more then the other side.It is swollen by touch & can see it as well.I do not have insurance just yet so I haven't gone to the doctor as of yet.What could so of the possiblities be ???

[shaerich]

If the swelling is just under your jawline, that's too high to be your thyroid.  Could be a swollen salivary gland or lymphnode (very common after throat infections).  

There are lots of people on here WAY more knowledgable than me, so I'm sure you'll get some great input.

[rayneweather]

It most likely is a swollen lymph node or "gland".  It is very common with strep throat and it should go down in the next week or so.  It is part of your immune system that helps fight infection and they can swell when you get sick.  It shouldn't be a concern unless it gets so large you have difficulty swallowing or it becomes extremely sore.  Or if you notice that a bunch of other lymph nodes in your neck (or in your groin, in your armpit or down the back of your neck) start swelling up.  That could be a sign that the infection isn't gone and it starting to spread throughout your body.  Hope this eases your mind.

Rayne (and I am a nurse :-P)

[ChitChatNine]

I once had a gland swell in my tongue after being sick .. it was so obnoxious in the feeling of it .. a huge lump .... I agree with other posters ... watch and monitor ... probably from the infection .... unless you think you have strep or had strep ?? then you need antibiotic.

C~

[ChitChatNine]

You took antibiotics for the strep throat, right?  Ignore my other post.  The throat pain is gone, right?

C~