What Could This My Mouth And Throat Have Been Very Dry ?

Posted on Thu, 24 Apr 2025

Question: My mouth and throat have been very dry (I started Zoloft and attentive s the dry mouth to that). I wouldn’t say I have a sore throat.. but some irritation that comes and goes. I notice in the middle of the night and in the morning my mouth is especially dry. I took a light to look down my throat and noticed (the best I can describe it...) two white patches or long streaks behind my tonsils. They are on both sides- just about identical. I thought strep maybe? But these aren’t directly on my tonsils, and are not multiple spots.. and these marks are on both sides. What could this be? Of course my first panicked thought was cancer. Could it be damage from possible reflux? I don’t think throats normally have this coloring..?

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It can be viral pharyngitis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You can upload a photo of your throat and in order that I can see it and give you a better opinion.
I don't believe that this can be related to taking zoloft nor throat cancer.
I believe it can be pharyngitis or inflammation of the throat possibly do to a viral infection.
You can do gargling with salt water, use lozenges with menthol or propolis to prevent it from being dry and reliving inflammation.
Use Vitamin C supplements.

Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (1 hour later)

Thank you. I attached a couple of pictures. It was hard to get a good one of the white on both sides.
There are some bright veins (probably hard to see in the pictures). Can this be normal? Or attributed to the infection? It looks like there is a big vein going through one of the white patches.

If it is viral there is no medication to take like antibiotics? It would just run its course?
Could this be a sign of covid?

I do have allergies. And some drainage. Unrelated?

Last concern.. this doesn’t sound like throat cancer?

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Seems like throat inflammation.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
I see the photos you attached and the throat has inflammation.
It can be attributed to the inflammation.
There is no need for antibiotics because most probably it is viral and will run its course.
It can even be a sign of covid19.
Not much related to allergies.
It doesn't seem related to throat cancer.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (47 minutes later)

Thank you. Since I have white in my throat I was assuming it wasn’t covid. That isn’t a normal symptom?

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Seems like viral infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
The white patches on your throat doesn't seem like tonsillitis but more like inflammation and mucus .
It seems like viral infection an covid19 can be an option.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T