What Causes White Patches At The Back Of Throat?

I woke up this morning with one spot deep down in my throat that ached. About mid day, my throat became very irritated and I began coughing uncontrollably to the point I could barely catch my breath. I coughed so long and hard I broke a sweat and had to cancel a luncheon. Have kept cough drops, dry mouth lozenges, dry mouth gum, etc. in my mouth the rest of the day. I just looked in my throat and there are large white patches in the back of my throat. What are possible causes of white patches in the back of the throat? I don t think I have a fever. If so, it must be low. Haven t attempted to take it. Just gargled with hot, salt water. Is there anything else I could or should do? I also might add that I just recently found out when in went into the hospital for hip surgery that I am a MRSA carrier. Of course, the first thing that pops into my head is could this be MRSA causing this?