Why does my throat hurt only at night?

[Flying_Monk]

About 2 weeks ago I caught either a cold or the flu. My eyes were dry, and in the morning they'd be stuck closed, with eye boogers along my lashes. My throat hurt at night, and I had a nasty cough. I feel better now, and my eyes are fine, but at night my throat hurts a lot. It's completely fine in the daytime.

A few days after I got sick I flew, and upon landing I had "altitude ears" so I closed my nose and blew, and I my left ear popped painfully, and I knew I'd have an ear infection. I did, it lasted for a few days, now it's fine, but I'm wondering if it may have something to do with my throat.

I can't remember being sick for this long anytime in my life. I don't have medical insurance, so I'm leery of going to the hospital, but if it gets much more painful I'm probably going to. Any doctors in the house?