I have swollen glands on the left side of my neck and the occasional sore throat. no noticeable sinus issues, but this has been going on for a week now. could this be a sinus infection?

Not particularly: The sinuses are a series of air pockets in the front of the skull/face that are lined with mucus producing tissue. If the mucus they produce is trapped you sometimes feel sinus pressure. If the mucus is infected these give notable pressure and pain. While sinus dysfunction may be part of your problem the cited symptoms do not point to this as your primary one.