Throat hurts badly in the middle?

Today I woke up with a horrible feeling in my throat. I don't know what it is called, but its the middle low section of your throat where you can feel your pulse at. I don't know why it hurts a lot. It hurts to swallow saliva, cough. I have been sick for 2 days with sneezing and boogers and what not. But I just don't understand why that section of my throat hurts so bad when I cough. Also the feeling connect to the middle of my chest. Anyone can tell me what this is? This is an unusual sore throat I've had. I've never had that part hurting before. I haven't even been coughing till today this morning. The past 2 days was just sneezing a lot. Thank you!