Pus on Tonsil Cause: White Spots, Back of Throat, Treatment, Pictures

Is pus on Tonsils a worrisome medical condition?  How are STDs related to white spots in back of your mouth? Get more insights and general overview of different authorities in the field of medicine on  white spots and pus on tonsils.

Pus on Tonsils Causes

Pus on your Tonsils are usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Some of the most common reasons for the white spots appearing on your tonsils is strep throat appearing on your tonsil are strep throat, tonsillitis, yeast infection, or mononucleosis. Along with the whitish spots or patches at the back of your throat, you will probably have other symptoms that can help identify the cause of the infection.
Causes and symptoms of Pus on Tonsils
According to the following Authorities:  Journal frontiers in Microbiology, The Journal Canadian Family Physician, Dr. Carol Dersarkissian on WebMD, Dr. Michael Friedman on WebMD, Canadian Society of Microbiologists and Institute of Microbiology and infections-University of Birmingham, the probable causes of pus on tonsils are:
Mononucleosis [kissing disease]:  mononucleosis is also known as kissing disease which is a viral infection, which causes headache, fever and persistent tiredness. Severe sore throat and pus-coved swollen tonsils are also characteristics of mononucleosis.
Diphtheria: Diphtheria is a respiratory infection that affects the nostrils and throat. It is caused by bacteria. Symptoms of diphtheria include inflamed lymph nodes, fever and difficulty swallowing and breathing. At the beginning, the tonsils may appear to have a grey-white layer and in other incidences it appears in white patches covering the tonsils. Children over the age of 5 years are at risk of diphtheria infection. Diphtheria unlike other viral infections that cause pus on tonsils it has a vaccination that can prevent it.
Vincent’s angina: This is an ulcer formation on the oral cavity, pharynx, and tonsils. The ulcers will begin on the gums and continue to spread. Eventually, they will bleed even with the slightest touch and white spots will develop on the tonsils. Antibiotics are regularly and commonly used in treatment of Vincent’s angina.
Viral pharyngitis: This is an infection of the pharynx causing the pharynx and tonsils to swell. Pus will form on the tonsils appearing as white spots. If the infection is bacterial you will be prescribed antibiotics. If it’s viral, it will clear up on its own.
STDs: Some sexually transmitted diseases [STDs] can cause white spots on tonsils. STDs that can cause white spots on tonsils include Chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes simplex virus, and HIV. Symptoms may include nausea, body pain, fever, reduced appetite, sore throat, mouth, itchy mouth, swollen gums, swollen uvula, and swollen lymph nodes.
Smoking and Leukoplakia:
Smoking can increase the risk of oral cancer and leukoplakia, which is a precancerous condition.  Symptoms and early sighs of leukoplakia include:

  • White patches on the mouth,
  • Tongue and tonsils.
  • Hard area on the gums, throat and inner mouth lining
  • Red, raised lesions

Smoking cessation often resolves the white spots, but your doctor may give further counsel on the same.
Oral thrust: This is a fungal infection in the mouth, though it can affect anyone, this infection is common in children. In both children and adult, it can occur as a side effect of medication such as oral steroids. Apart from children, people with weak or compromised immune system are at an increased of developing this condition. In most of the case, the white spots are the only sign; other symptoms may include:

  • Sore throat,
  • Painful swelling,
  • Loss of mouth taste and appetite.

Strep throat: Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by streptococcus when this infection is not treated, the bacterium can spread to other parts of the body leading to complication such as rheumatic fever and sinus infection.
According to Canadian institute of Microbiology, strep throat is a common infection, especially in children. When it is the cause of the white spots, you are likely to develop other symptoms such as:

  • Sore throat
  • Swollen glands around the neck
  • Fever and headache

Tonsil Stones:  This condition is also called tonsilliths. Tonsil stones are calcium deposits that form in small cracks in your tonsils. These small white lumps at the back of the throat may occur due to a buildup of food particles, bacteria and mucus.
The accumulation of these particles may appear as yellow spots. The lumps may be accompanied by other symptoms such as:

  • Foul smelling breath,
  • Earaches,
  • Sore throat

Swollen tonsils with white spots are a possible sign of tonsillitis. This condition can be caused by either a viral or bacterial infection. When your tonsils are swollen with white spots, it can be a sign that you need to see a doctor because tonsillitis involves the risk of complication such as lymphadenitis, rheumatism, polyarthritis and pyelonephritis.
Swollen tonsils are common in children, with other common symptoms such as:

  • Swollen tonsil
  • Pain while swallowing
  • Swollen glands on neck
  • Bad breath
  • Sore throat
  • Drooling
  • White or yellow coating on tonsils

Appropriate treatment will depend on the cause. In cases of severe swelling, a surgical procedure may be required to remove the tonsils. Antibiotics may also be recommended in cases where the inflammation is caused by a bacterium.
Tonsillar cancer:  Tonsillar cancer  is a type of cancer that affect the tonsils, though it is very rare, but according to the study of The Department of microbiology and infections University of Birmingham 20I5,  found that,it could be one of the underlying cause of the white spots.
When tonsillar cancer is the cause of the white spots, the sore occurring on the tonsils and at the back of the throat do not heal. Other possible symptoms accompanying the white spots will include:

  • Pain in the mouth,
  • Severe ear pain,
  • Lump in the neck,
  • Blood in saliva
  • And persistent sore throat

In cases of cancer, urgent and proper medical diagnosis and treatment is required to reduce the risk of cancer spreading to other parts of the body.

White Spots on Tonsils no Fever

Sometimes, tonsillitis can occur without the presence of a fever and tonsils stones can develop without any other symptoms except for notable white spots on tonsils. Even if you don’t have a fever but notice white spots, you may still want to go in and have your doctor confirm diagnosis of tonsil stones.

White Spots on Tonsils no Pain

White spots without the presence of pain could be a viral infection or a malignant growth. Generally, viral infection will clear up on its own, so there is no need to worry. Simply gargling with salt water can help clear up the white spots tonsils.
It is not necessary to feel pain while suffering from a throat condition. Sometimes diseases don’t exhibit their prime symptoms. This is one of the cases when you might have patches on tonsils but without having any kind of pain.
Such condition can be caused due to STDs or chronic disease. People with frequent throat problems have weak immune system. It can also occur due to poor responsive body reflex. They might not causes pain all the time but when you eat, swallow any food or liquid you may feel pain.
Drinking water can also trigger pain due to white spots on tonsils. Pain might be absent in normal condition but movement of vocal box may trigger this condition.

White Spot on Tonsils-not Strep

A negative test result for strep in the presence of white spots on tonsils could be a result of any other conditions listed above. Your doctor will have to run further testing to determine the cause.
In some cases, seasonal allergies can cause white spots on tonsils as a result of a post-nasal drip. You may find that treating your allergies may resolve the white spots on tonsils.

One white Spot on Tonsil

Most of the time oral problems are as a result of poor colon health and indigestion. These white spots under tongue and tonsil can be due to GERD [a digestive disease in which stomach acid or bile irritates the food pipe lining]. However stomach flu and strep are common causes of a single white spot on tonsil. Henceforth treating your stomach flu with home remedies will help you clear your throat from white patches and dots.

Pus on Tonsil STD

According to the study of Department Microbiology at The University of Chicago published in the American Journal of clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials, pus on tonsil has 75% chance correlation with STDs. The study also found that not all STDs that are responsible for causing pus on tonsils but in most cases the STDS Associated with white spots symptoms tend to compromise immunity of the body system. The below are details of the STDs that cause pus on tonsil as per the study.
Syphilis infection
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacterium called, Treponema  pallidum. This bacterium can also get through cuts on skin or small abrasions and mucous membranes. According to the study mentioned above the first stage of syphilis infection is marked by small painless sores. It could be a single sore in mouth, around anus or genitals.
In adults, syphilis develops in various stages, each stage is characterized by symptoms that differ from each other. If it enters the body after oral sex especially in actively sexual individuals, the following are symptoms during secondary stage. They include:

  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Sore throat
  • Muscle aches or feeling very tired
  • Fever and headaches
  • Patchy hair loss, weight loss

Gonorrhea
According to the study  of The department of Microbiology at the University of Chicago and various studies in the field of microbiology, gonorrhea is caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae  and is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse and at birth, the study also indicates that the bacteria can grow in the mouth especially in the throat.
Symptoms of oral gonorrhea infections of the throat include:

  • Redness and swelling of the tonsils, sometime accompanied by white spots on the tonsil. Other areas that can be affected by this infection include the eyes and anus.

Oral herpes

Herpes is caused virus called herpes simplex virus, HSV.  Herpes simplex virus normally causes cold sores or fever blisters. If these fever blisters have formed around your lips they  spread to the tonsils forming Pus on the tonsils, it can also spread to the  genital area if one of the partners is infected with HSV virus. The cold sore can also appear in the mouth.  HSV virus manifests itself with the following symptoms:

  • White spots on the throat,
  • Sore throat

Oral herpes can be spread from one victim to another through kissing or if they practice oral sex more than often. The reason as this oral infection keeps on recurring ids due to the fact the sores may be absent or invisible but yet the virus can get transmitted during oral sex.

How to Get Rid of white Spots on Tonsils

Use of home remedies can take they have been proven to be effective. Use home remedies to clean tonsils from white spots and patches.
According to the following journals: Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2007,American Journal of Gastroenterology 20I6,  and The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 20I3, Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 20I5, and Canadian  Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology 20I3.  All of these Journals mention in common the below remedies of getting rid of white spots on tonsils, and they include:

  1. Basil Herb

Basil herb is astringent and has anti-inflammatory properties that help to cure causes of white spots on tonsils. It can also remove white patches and dots on the back of the throat. Basil will provide relief from pain and remove white spots caused by strep. You can also eat basil leaves to improve your general body immune system.
To use basil:
You will need a handful of basil leaves water and lemon, and follow the below procedure,

  • Crush the basil leaves into a thick paste
  • Mix one tablespoon of basil paste in one glass of warm water.
  • Stir well and use this solution to clear your throat
  • Take a big sip and gargle for 2 minutes
  • Repeat the process of gargling until your glass is empty
  • Alternatively, you can mix one tablespoon of basil paste into a glass of warm milk
  • Drink this herbal drink before going to bed
  1. Coconut oil Thrush

Lauric acid is an active compound found in coconut essential oil. Due to its anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties coconut oil can help you get rid of white spots on tonsils naturally.
Coconut oil is naturally nourishing to our skin which can be used to cure skin ailments such as acne and sores. It is very effective in removing those white spots from your swollen tonsil. Coconut oil mouth floss will remove plaque and works as amazing home remedy for toothache.
How to use Coconut oil thrush:
You will need organic coconut essential oil.

  • Put 3 tablespoon of frozen coconut oil in a cup
  • Apply some heat and take one tablespoon of warm coconut oil and thrush it around your painful tonsil
  • Gargle for few minutes then spit it out
  • Repeat this remedy twice a day
  1. Salt water

Salt is antibacterial which is used to sterilize wounds and bruises. People use salt water to clear their throat from dirt and mucus.
Salt is excellent home remedy to get rid of white spots on tonsils. The anti-inflammatory properties of salt can be used to reduce the size of swollen tonsils. Warm salt water is used as mouth floss to remove plague accumulated at the base of tooth. People with oral problems also use salt water to maintain healthy oral hygiene.
To use salt water:

  • Take one glass of water
  • Add 2 tablespoon of common salt
  • Stir it until salt gets dissolved completely
  • Pour some warm water in mouth and gargle for 2 minutes
  • Spit it out and repeat until your glass is empty
  • Do this daily to remove white spots on tonsils naturally
  1. Lemon juice

The antibacterial, antiviral and anti bacterial inflammatory properties of Lemmon are effective in treating infections caused by bacteria.
To use lemon:

  • Take a glass of warm water.
  • Add 3 tablespoon of lemon juice and stir well
  • Gargle a few times to sooth throat pain.
  • Repeat this remedy twice a day for faster healing.

How to get rid of Pus on Tonsils

Consider the following:
Mint
Mint is a herb with soothing aroma. Mint contains menthol which has a soothing effect on irritated pus filled throat. It inhibits micro-organisms from spreading and give you relief from swollen tonsil.
To use mint:

  • Pour one cup of water into a saucepan and add handful of mint leaves.
  • Apply heat and let it simmer for ten minutes
  • Strain it over a new cup and collect the mint water
  • Add one tablespoon of lemon juice and mix well
  • Sip on this herbal drink daily

Turmeric

Turmeric is a powerful antibacterial used to get rid of white spots on tonsils. It’s anti-inflammatory properties will provide relief from swollen tonsil filled with pus.
To use turmeric:

  • Take one cup of warm water and mix with one teaspoon powder of turmeric
  • Gargle multiple times with this solution to remove the pus and white spots on your tonsil.

Fenugreek
Fenugreek is an ancient herb which is also called methi, it is analgesic and antiseptic abilities will provide instant relief from pain and inflammation.
To use Fenugreek:

  • Pour a cup of water in a bowl and add a handful of fenugreek seeds.
  • Let it simmer for ten minutes.
  • Use this water to gargle multiple times to remove patches, dots and pus from your throat.

Other remedies for pus in tonsils include:
Use diluted hydrogen peroxide for gargling every night. This act as strong disinfectant
You need to clean the pus in your throat every day with some cotton ear bud. Only then the growth of the infection can be controlled.

  • Avoid smoking.
  • Limit alcohol consumption.
  • Use over-the-counter pain relievers.
  • Avoid irritating foods, like spicy food, chips, raw vegetables, highly acidic food, e.t.c
  • Suck on lozenges.
  • Eat smooth foods like ice cream or yogurt.
  • Drink warm or cold fluids to ease throat pain.