You obviously have the big ole bug that is running rampant this year. I have this virus/bacterial bug and waited 5 days before giving in to see the doctor. Ended up with severe "tracheal bronchitis" and was put on Z-Pak, a powerful antibiotic. Doc said it would be 2 weeks before I got over it. Also was given Hycodan cough medicine (synthetic codiene). Before going to the doctor I irrigated sinuses with salt water, Beconase antiflammatory nasal spray, plain Robitussin cough medicine at night before bed, kept vaporizor going to keep moisture in house. All of this was not enough for the infection to clear on it's own.

Do be careful you do not end up with pneumonia due to letting the infection go unchecked.

If you do not have health insurance and cannot afford an office call, go to one of the places that have free clinics.

I found that gargling with Cool Mint Listerine mouth wash in very warm water relieved the sore throat very well. At bedtime I took 1/2 teaspoon plain Robitussin. Robitussin keeps mucous thinned during the night.

I also take "Mucinex" over the counter pills with same ingredient as Robitussin, stronger. Mucinex helps thin mucous in your system. If you do not see Mucinex on the couter, ask pharmacist. They sometimes keep it in the back. It is not cheap but really helps thin mucous in sinuses, air passages so it can be coughed up and spit out.

The virus/bacteria bug is nothing to mess around with.