That really sounds uncomfortable! Because I sing in Church so much, I'm always trying to avoid anything related to sore throats or coughs. Breathing deeply and coughing, though, will help lessen the risk of pneumonia - so I've been told.
The one thing every Doctor has told me is that I have very healthy lungs. Despite the fact that I have been working in a Body Shop for the last 31 years, and breathing in every chemical imaginable, they say my Lungs are some of the clearest they have ever seen in somebody my age. This past month has me doubting them... :-)