MYTH: Food can be left at room or outdoor temperature for more than two hours. REALITY: Because bacteria grow rapidly in the danger zone between 40 degrees F and 140 degrees F, food left at room temperature for more than two hours should be discarded.
Postnasal drip also commonly causes excess mucus at the back of your nose and throat many times after eating. Excessive, thick phlegm or chest mucus can often be caused by viral or bacterial infections such as influenza, bronchitis and pneumonia, as well as irritants such as those inhaled during smoking. Chemotherapy also causes the immune system to overreact and excessive phlegm is often the result.
Usually, a sore throat caused by a run of the mill virus like a cold wouldn't cause the swollen tongue, swollen lymph nodes but could cause the slight ear and throat problems. But Strep throat can cause serious problems so since you had it a couple of times in addition to the swollen lymph nodes I would see the ENT.