Throat White Patches: Symptoms

What other symptoms might occur with throat white patches?

White throat patches may accompany other symptoms, which will vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Symptoms that frequently affect the upper respiratory tract may also involve other body systems.

Respiratory symptoms that may occur along with throat white patches

White throat patches may accompany other symptoms affecting the respiratory system including:

• Cough; possibly coughing up clear, yellow, light brown, or green mucus
• Difficulty breathing (ranging from mild to severe)
• Dry throat
• Hoarseness
• Pus on the tonsils or throat
• Sore throat

Other symptoms that may occur along with throat white patches

White patches in the throat may accompany symptoms related to other body systems, such as the immune system or gastrointestinal system. Other symptoms may include:

• Body aches
• Difficulty swallowing
• Enlarged lymph nodes or tonsils
• Fatigue
• Fever and chills
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

In some cases, white throat patches may be a symptom of a life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have white throat patches along with other serious symptoms including:

• Change in level of consciousness or alertness
• Choking
• Confusion or loss of consciousness, even for a brief moment
• Fainting or change in level of consciousness or lethargy
• High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Severe difficulty breathing, which may be combined with pale or blue lips and fast heart rate
• Severe pain
• Sudden swelling of the tongue or throat structures
• Vomiting