My son has a piece of gum the size of a sweet pea hanging in the back of his mouth but he complains of pain?

Doctor can evaluate: New throat symptoms 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, irritants, or stomach reflux. 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).