Cut down on cigs I have a VERY irratated sore throat? I have flu past 5 days never get sore throat?

I have been smoking a pack to pack and a half of marb light 100s a day smoking the cig down to the . I am so addicted to cigs for the past 4 years that recently about 5 days ago when I was getting the flu I decided to cut down drastically on cig smokin and for the past 5 days I've smoked 3-4 cigs a day and hate it. its very hard to fight the cravings alll day I'm so proud of myself its a BIG step but now my throat today hurts SO bad I've never had a throat ache this bad nothin is helpn is it from not smokin as many cigs? I'm on antibiotics (zithromax) for my flu I know its not from that