Q. My tonsils are swollen and covered with white layer. What could this be?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern. According to your statement, your right tonsil is swollen, lumpy and covered in a white, thick layer of skin. White spots on the tonsils usually indicate an infection. Infections may be due to bacteria, fungus or viruses.

Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus. Complications include rheumatic fever and ear and sinus infections if infection spread to other parts of the body. Additional symptoms that may indicate strep throat include sore throat, fever, swollen glands in the neck, and headache.

Oral thrush is a fungal infection in the mouth. It can occur in people with a weakened immune system or oral steroid ingestion. White spots may the only symptom of oral thrush but when additional symptoms develop they may include sore throat, pain when swallowing, loss of taste, etc.

Tonsillitis can develop due to viral infections such as rhinovirus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus. Symptoms may include swollen tonsils, painful swallowing, fever, earache, nasal congestion.

Infectious mononucleosis is a viral infection caused by Epstein Barr virus. Along with white spots on the back of the throat symptoms may include fever, sore throat, and fatigue.

You should undergo throat culture, and blood tests indicate if certain antibodies are present which helps identify specific infections. So treatment depends on finding the causative agent which are responsible for your present sufferings and treat them accordingly.

Same symptoms doesn’t mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam

Experience: 15 + Yrs

Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)

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