Started with chest/nasal congestion and sore throat when swallowing 2 days ago. started mucinex/claritin. woke up this a.m. with a lot of phlegm being coughed up and it tastes extremely foul and bitter. what causes terrible tasting phlegm? infection?

Doctor can examine: New throat pain can be from a strep throat infection (antibiotics are needed), a cold or influenza (antibiotics usually not used), or from some other cause such as allergies or irritants. Usually, a person sees the doctor if the sore throat is bothersome, recurrent, or doesn't go away quickly (mainly to check for strep). Throat lozenges and Tylenol (acetaminophen)can temporarily decrease pain.