Hi, hoping someone could give me a little insight into my symptoms.

Earlier this week, I experienced a sort of tightness and/or lump in my throat. I'd noticed its presence all day, but it didn't become truly bothersome until I began thinking about it and worrying, I was able to convince myself I wasn't swallowing properly, when in actuallity I was. I came on this board and saw a thread in which someone explained that it was the uvula hanging down the throat creating the lump sensation, sure enough, my own uvula was swelled up a bit. So I put it out of my mind, and though my throat has still not been perfect, it was easy to ignore, almost unnoticable all together.

But starting earlier lastnight i've gotten sort of a pain on my lower throat (by my collar bone). I say on because it's not what i'd define as a sore throat. It feels as if its more on the outside on the front of my neck. If I move or strain my neck, I experience a faint pain down there. If I stretch my neck out and swallow, I can also feel it. I'm beginning to worry a bit, and my throat does feel sort of tight, though those close to me have not looked upon it as anything serious. I smoke, and i'm 20 if that helps...Any insight would be helpful.