question: I am a 50 year old female elementary teacher.  It hurts to swallow, both ears hurt - like you want to stick a q-tip in them ( but didn't), when I cough it comes from deep in my chest.  I don't have the normal cold symptoms - I'm not stuffed up, but have been sneezing occasionally.  Several of my students have been diagnosed with strep.  I've never had strep before.  I have been taking ibuprofen to deal with the pain.