What Causes White Spots on the Back of the Throat?

Throat infections are not uncommon. Millions of people in the U.S. are diagnosed with strep infections each year, while there are 500 cases of mono, an infection transmitted through infected saliva, per 100,000 reported annually.

The cause of your sore throat may be something harmless, such as a postnasal drip, but it can also be a sign of infection.

Throat pain can sometimes be accompanied by white spots on the back of the throat. To get treatment for these spots, you’ll have to identify the underlying cause.

In this article, we’ll discuss the reasons for white spots on your throat, treatment options, and ways to prevent them.

Should I Be Worried About the White Spots on the Back of My Throat?

White spots on the back of your throat are not typically a cause for concern, but they are likely a sign of a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.

These spots may heal on their own, but some may require a doctor’s diagnosis and prescription medication.

Once you understand what’s causing the white spots on your throat, you’ll be able to treat the underlying condition.

What are the Causes of White Spots on My Throat?

A sore throat can be the first indication of an illness or infection the body is fighting. White spots on the throat or tonsils may be accompanied by a number of other symptoms that may indicate one of the following conditions:

Strep throat

Also called streptococcal pharyngitis, strep throat is a bacterial infection that’s characterized by a sore throat, swollen neck glands, and pain or difficulty when swallowing.

Strep throat is contagious and spreads via airborne droplets or sharing food and drinks with an infected person.

A strep throat infection can last around a week but may heal on its own within three to seven days. However, it is best to get your doctor to prescribe antibiotics as untreated strep throat can lead to complications, such as kidney inflammation and rheumatic fever.

Infectious mononucleosis

Commonly referred to as mono, infectious mononucleosis is an extremely contagious viral infection prevalent among teens and young adults. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common cause of mono.

Some symptoms of infectious mononucleosis include fatigue, a sore throat, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and an enlarged spleen.

The viruses that cause mono generally spread through saliva droplets, but may also be passed on through blood and semen.

By refraining from sharing food, drinks, and personal items with infected people, you can protect yourself. There is currently no vaccine for mono.

Antibiotics are ineffective against mononucleosis and the symptoms of mono are managed by resting, drinking plenty of fluids — including warm liquids like soups and teas — and using over-the-counter medicines.

Leukoplakia

Characterized by thick gray or white patches inside the mouth and sometimes the throat, leukoplakia is usually harmless but it may be a sign of cancer in rare cases.

Constant irritation or trauma to the mouth is usually the cause of leukoplakia, with smoking and chewing tobacco being major culprits.

If your mouth does not show any signs of healing within two weeks and you note other changes in your mouth, or experience ear pain when you swallow, seek medical treatment.

Surgical removal of the white patches may be necessary, in addition to treatment for the underlying condition.

Oropharyngeal candidiasis

Also called oral thrush, oropharyngeal candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of candida in the mouth. It’s essentially an oral yeast infection. The condition is not contagious.

Swallowing difficulties, loss of taste, and a cottony feeling in the mouth are some common symptoms of oral thrush.

No one is immune to oral thrush, but the condition is most likely to affect individuals who:

• Are diabetic
• Use corticosteroids or antibiotics to treat conditions like asthma
• Suffer from dry mouth
• Are smokers
• Have a weakened immune system, like people with cancer or HIV

Oral thrush is also common in babies and infants.

Certain home remedies may be used to treat oral thrush, but your doctor will be able to prescribe effective treatments for the condition.

People with a strong immune system will recover quickly with the help of oral thrush antifungal medications.

Viral tonsillitis

When your tonsils, the soft tissue flaps on either side of your throat, become inflamed, tonsillitis occurs. Tonsillitis can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection and often accompanies conditions like strep throat, herpes, or measles.

Swollen tonsils can form in response to irritants, such as polluted air, but certain individuals naturally have enlarged tonsils.

Tonsillitis can often be managed with a variety of home remedies, throat lozenges, and over-the-counter medications.

Without medication, viral tonsillitis can last up to two weeks, but a healthcare provider can prescribe antibiotics that can clear the infection in five to seven days.

The condition is contagious and can be passed from one person to another through saliva.

Tonsil stones

Also called tonsilloliths, tonsil stones are hardened lumps or deposits that settle in the tonsils. Composed of bacteria, food debris, and mucus, tonsil stones are usually unnoticeable and may become dislodged through eating and drinking.

Sometimes the shape of a person’s tonsils can make them more prone to developing tonsil stones.

A tonsil stone is typically white, yellow, or gray. They can be coughed up and often emit a foul odor. Common symptoms include bad breath, sore throat, pain, and trouble swallowing.

Tonsil stones are not uncommon, and proper oral hygiene may be an effective remedy.

Vigorous gargling with salt water can help dislodge a tonsil stone, though bigger stones may need to be manually removed.

Oral and genital herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2)

Both herpes type 1 (oral herpes) and herpes type 2 (genital herpes) are spread through saliva, so the virus can be transmitted through kissing and sexual contact with an infected person.

In addition to white spots in your mouth or throat, herpes can also cause tingling sores on the mouth and genitals, in addition to a sore throat and other flu-like symptoms.

There is currently no cure for herpes, but a medical professional can prescribe antiviral medication to help clear an outbreak.

Could White Spots on the Throat Be Oral Cancer?

White spots on your throat or in your mouth are not typically an indication of cancer — it’s quite unlikely, in fact. If you notice white spots inside your throat, you probably have a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.

There are, however, other symptoms that can occur alongside white spots which might be precancerous. These include:

• Speckled, raised lesions
• Sores that do not heal
• Lumps
• White and red patches in the mouth
• Various changes in your mouth tissue
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• Coughing
• Persistent pain

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical treatment immediately.

What Symptoms Usually Appear Alongside White Spots on My Throat?

Depending on the condition causing the white spots on your throat, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Mouth pain
• Mild, moderate, or severe throat pain
• A white or yellow coating on the tonsils
• Swollen tonsils
• Muscle aches
• Trouble swallowing
• Bad breath
• Lesions in the mouth and throat
• Difficulty speaking or breathing
• Other flu-like symptoms

What are the Treatments for White Spots on My Throat?

Sometimes white spots on your throat disappear by themselves without any medical intervention. However, white spots on your throat may indicate an underlying condition, such as strep throat, which requires medical treatment.

Listed in the table below are some of the treatments to combat the underlying causes of white spots on your throat:

Your doctor may recommend a variety of other treatments depending on the underlying cause of the white spots on your throat.

How Do I Prevent White Spots on the Back of My Throat?

Much like the treatment for white spots on the back of the throat, preventative measures largely depend on the underlying condition causing the white spots.

Some preventative measures include:

• Practicing good oral hygiene
• Not sharing personal items, such as utensils, with people who are sick
• Washing your hands frequently
• Refraining from kissing or having sexual contact with infected people
• Building a strong immune system by eating a balanced diet and getting enough exercise
• Eating probiotic-rich foods

When Should I Visit a Doctor?

White spots on your throat are not usually a cause for concern. However, if the spots don’t disappear on their own and are accompanied by other symptoms, such as a sore throat, fever, and difficulty swallowing, you should seek medical attention.

If you are experiencing a lot of discomfort or you’re worried that the white spots on your throat may indicate something more serious, it's time to talk to a healthcare provider.

Where Can I Learn More About Throat Infections?

If you’ve recently noticed white spots on the back of your throat or are worried you may have a transmissible oral infection, you can meet with a board-certified doctor from your smartphone, computer, or tablet. Visit LifeMD to make an online appointment.