Cough, sore throat, and swelling for three weeks?

for about three weeks i've had a cough (started as a tickle, now often has phlegm or whatever it is and a rougher sound). the only time ive been able to spit out the phlegm was in a poorly lit bathroom, so i couldn't identify the color. i have occasionally gotten a little throat soreness. today, after waking up with a sore throat, i realized it was mostly on one side, and in the area where my mouth and throat meet. in the mirror, i appeared to have one swollen tonsil (that's what the thing slightly ahead of my uvula to the side is, right?) on the same side (left) as the soreness. my parents dont have time to take me to the doctor. any idea what it is?