What other symptoms might occur with throat white patches?
White throat patches may accompany other symptoms, which will vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Symptoms that frequently affect the upper respiratory tract may also involve other body systems.
Respiratory symptoms that may occur along with throat white patches
White throat patches may accompany other symptoms affecting the respiratory system including:
- Cough; possibly coughing up clear, yellow, light brown, or green mucus
- Difficulty breathing (ranging from mild to severe)
- Dry throat
- Pus on the tonsils or throat
- Sore throat
Other symptoms that may occur along with throat white patches
White patches in the throat may accompany symptoms related to other body systems, such as the immune system or gastrointestinal system. Other symptoms may include:
- Body aches
- Difficulty swallowing
- Enlarged lymph nodes or tonsils
- Fever and chills
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition
In some cases, white throat patches may be a symptom of a life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have white throat patches along with other serious symptoms including:
- Change in level of consciousness or alertness
- Confusion or loss of consciousness, even for a brief moment
- Fainting or change in level of consciousness or lethargy
- High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Severe difficulty breathing, which may be combined with pale or blue lips and fast heart rate
- Severe pain
- Sudden swelling of the tongue or throat structures
What are throat white patches?
White patches at the back of your throat or on your tonsils can be signs of infection. Usually these patches are irritating or painful, and sometimes the pain is worse with swallowing or on coming into contact with acidic foods. In addition to infection, sometimes these white patches can be a result of an injury from chemical exposures.
... Read more about throat white patchesintroduction
What causes throat white patches?
White patches at the back of your throat or on your tonsils are usually signs of infection, particularly strep throat, tonsillitis, or mononucleosis; they are sometimes associated with a syphilitic infection. In addition to infection, sometimes these white patches can be a result of an injury from a chemical injury to the throat.