Slight pain swallowing - on the one side with white spots on tonsils. no fever; had a headache yesterday morning but throat didn't start hurting or white spots until middle of night. just a few white spots on one side of tonsi.

Doctor can evaluate: New throat soreness or spots can be from a strep throat infection (antibiotics needed), a cold or mild flu (antibiotics are not used), or from some other cause such as allergies or irritants. Usually, a person sees the doctor if the sore throat is bothersome, recurrent, or doesn't go away in a day or two (mainly to check for strep throat). Throat lozenges can decrease throat pain, for 1-2 days.