What Causes Severe Sore Throat With White Patches?

Posted on Fri, 3 Jul 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 3 Jul 2015 Answered on

Thu, 30 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have had a VERY bad sore throat for 5 days, it's very red but no white patches. It seems to be traveling towards my sinuses and ears... Thinking its viral but wondering if I'm missing something...could it be bacterial?

Answered by Dr. Ralf Von Seckendorff (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Signs for bacterial infection fever, neck lymphnode swelling, white spots

Detailed Answer:
Dear patient,

signs for bacterial tonsillitis are listed above. If you do not have any of them it is much more likely viral. You will most likely recover in the next few days.

Best regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar