1. Differential Diagnosis of White Spots in the Throat
White spots in the throat typically represent an infectious process, including bacterial infection of the tonsils, fungal growth in the cases of thrush, or apthous ulcers and canker sores. Other possibilities include leukoplakia, which is a precancerous change in the mucous membrane. Leukoplakia more often occurs on the inner cheeks and gums than in the back of the throat.
2. Diagnosing Strep Throat
Streptococcal infections of the throat often begin with small white spots on the tonsils and pharynx. These spots however, may only be visible for a day and then be followed by redness. The classic symptoms of a strep throat are rather severe throat pain accompanied by bright red swollen tonsils, often with pus and exudates in the cracks and crevices of the tonsils and a foul odor. A throat swab to perform a culture provides the definitive diagnosis.
3. Diagnosing Thrush
Thrush is a type of yeast infection occurring in the mouth or throat. Thrush most commonly occurs in babies and infants, but may also occur in diabetics, people who repeatedly use antibiotics or those with compromised immune systems (such as AIDS patients). Thrush looks like little bits of yogurt or cottage cheese clinging to the inner cheeks or in the back of the throat; if they are swabbed away, very red, inflamed tissue is revealed underneath. When the infection is extensive, there may be a yeasty odor, like that of baking bread.
