 [ Symptoms ] sore throat that will not go away told its not strep i went to the doctor because of a bad sore throat they gave me a swob test and said it was not strep so i am confused as to what it could be the back of my throat is red the left side is white and theright side has little bumps on them the doctor said it was viral and would go away soon but it has been two weeks what could it be the pain goes from a 9 to a 7 and always goes back and forth i am unsure what it could be [ Disease ] it is difficult to predict the rate of progression of emphysema symptoms much is unknown about why emphysema occurs and in whom in some people emphysema symptoms progress faster than in others it is believed that genetic factors make some people more vulnerable to developing emphysema genetics may also cause some people is emphysema symptoms to progress more rapidly the majority of people with emphysema though can expect relatively slow progression of emphysema symptoms provided they quit smoking