A 45-year-old female presents with cold-like symptoms including a sore throat, congestion, and cough. However, she also reports difficulty swallowing and a feeling of a lump in her throat. What should be the next steps?
While these symptoms could be related to a common cold, the additional symptoms of difficulty swallowing and a sensation of a lump in the throat (globus sensation) could suggest another condition, such as a throat infection, tonsillitis, or even a thyroid or esophageal disorder. She should be further evaluated, which might involve a throat swab, thyroid function tests, or potentially an endoscopy.