White Spots on Tonsils

[dgcloud]

I have no idea what's going on with my tonsils.  Three days ago I started to have a terrible sore throat.  I didn't think much about until it didn't go away and it didn't feel quite like a sore throat.  For one the pain wasn't where it normally would be.  I started to panic when I finally looked in the mirror and saw white spots all over both tonsils.  I went to the doctor and they told me I didn't have strep.  They didn't know what it was but was sure it wasn't strep.  So they have now prescribed me antibiotics.  I did some research and thought it might be tonsilitis or tonsil stones.  But the sympoms don't quite fit.  Both tonsils are swollen and have white spots, not patches.  And I can't pick them off like tonsil stones.  They look like someone had splashed white paint in the back of my mouth. My breath is horrible and even though both tonsils are swollen, I only have pain in the right one.  And I salivate like crazy.  No fever, caughing, or sneezing.  In fact, other than the tonsils and a little fatigueI feel perfectly fine.  I'm concerned becasue I have been taking the antibiotics for two days the spots look like they're spreading wider!  What could this be?

[Encephalomalcia]

The white spots are some type of bacteria, but not strep bacteria.  Keep taking your antibiotics and gargle with Listerine.  Listerine kills the bacteria and helps kill the bacteria on your tonsils.  If your throat does not improve, see your doctor for a different antibiotic.  Antibiotics that treat resistent bacteria are Cephalexin generic for Keflex and Levaquin.  

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
The white spots are pus pockets. A course of antibiotic is definitely needed. Drink plenty of hot fluids, warm lemonade, gargle with warm saline water and also add an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen to your prescription. In all probability the symptoms will go away in 2-3 days. The white spot will go away too after that. However if symptoms persist consult your PCP.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!