Do you have white spots in your throat? (White Spots in Throat) Let's talk about this!

When you brush your teeth or rinse your mouth, have you ever noticed in the mirror that there are small white spots or yellow spots on the inside of your throat , on both sides? It is normal to feel a little scared when you see something like this. But don't worry, most of the time these white spots are caused by some kind of infection caused by bacteria , viruses or fungi . Along with these spots, you may also have other symptoms such as a sore throat , difficulty swallowing, fever, and fatigue. So let's see what are the causes of these white spots in the throat.

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is the medical term for an inflamed tonsil. The tonsils are the two soft tissue lumps on either side of your throat. They are part of our immune system. Simply put, they are like two sentinels that help catch germs that enter our bodies.

The main cause of swollen tonsils is a viral infection. However, it can also be caused by bacteria. Most often, the viruses that cause the common cold and flu are responsible. If it is caused by bacteria, the main cause is a condition called strep throat.

This can be spread by close contact with someone who has the infection . For example:

• By kissing someone, or by eating from the same plate, or drinking from the same cup.
• By touching a contaminated surface and then touching your nose or mouth with the same hand.
• By breathing in germs that are released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

This condition most commonly affects school-aged children between the ages of 5 and 15. So if you have a school-aged child, or if you work in a school or daycare center, you are more likely to develop it.

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine your throat, ears, and nose to see if you have it. They may also take a throat culture/rapid strep test to determine if it's caused by bacteria or a virus.

Strep Throat

Strep throat is an infection of the throat and tonsils caused by the bacteria Group A Streptococcus. It is also the main cause of tonsillitis. Therefore, the transmission and risk factors are very similar to tonsillitis.

Symptoms of strep throat usually begin within 2-5 days after the germ enters the body.

• Appearance of white patches or pus-filled streaks on the tonsils.
• Tonsils become red and swollen.
• The appearance of tiny red spots (petechiae) on the roof of the mouth.
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
• Sudden onset of severe throat pain.
• Fever, headache, and chills.
• Children may experience loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. They may also develop a rash (scarlet fever) that starts on the neck and chest and spreads throughout the body.

Oral Thrush - A fungal infection in the mouth

This is a yeast infection that occurs inside the mouth. To be precise, it is caused by a type of fungus called Candida albicans. This fungus is usually naturally present in everyone's body. But sometimes, if it grows out of control, symptoms begin to appear.

Who is most at risk?

• Babies less than a month old.
• Toddlers.
• Adults over 65 years of age.
• People with weakened immune systems (e.g. HIV, cancer patients).
• People who take steroids or antibiotics for a long time.

In this condition, white, raised patches resembling milkweed can be seen on the tongue, inside the cheeks, on the roof of the mouth, on the gums, on the tonsils, or in the back of the throat. These may bleed when scratched or when brushing your teeth. There may also be redness at the corners of the mouth, a temporary loss of taste, and a feeling of cotton wool inside the mouth.

This is treated with antifungal medicine. Recovery begins within a week or two of starting treatment.

Mononucleosis

This is a contagious disease. It is most often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It is also called the "Kissing Disease" because it can be transmitted from person to person through bodily fluids such as saliva and blood.

Since it is caused by a virus, it cannot be cured with antibiotics. All you need to do is get plenty of rest, drink fluids, and take a medicine like paracetamol for fever and pain.

Symptoms usually last for 2-4 weeks. However, some people may have fatigue for weeks or even months. In addition to white spots on the tonsils, symptoms may include fatigue , fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits, and headache and body aches.

What are the other reasons?

In addition to the infections mentioned above, white spots in the throat can occur for several other reasons.

Can white spots in the throat be a sign of cancer?

Most of the time, white spots in the throat are not caused by cancer. They are caused by the infection we talked about. However, some conditions, such as leukoplakia, can turn into cancer over time, so if you see white spots in the throat, don't ignore it. Be sure to see your doctor for a checkup. Then, you can find out the exact cause and start the necessary treatment.