My teen daughter has a few yellowish spots and one black spot on one side of her throat, also looks red. She also has spit out very small yellowish particles. Having only slight throat irritation.
Is this possibly stones? A virus?
Based on your description of your daughter's symptoms - yellowish and black spots on one side of the throat, slight redness, and expelling small yellowish particles - there are a couple of possibilities to consider:
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Tonsil Stones (Tonsilloliths)
Tonsil stones are small, yellowish-white deposits that form in the crevices of the tonsils. They are typically harmless but can cause discomfort, bad breath, and sometimes a sore throat.
The yellowish particles she is spitting out could be these stones dislodging from her tonsils.
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Throat Infection
Viral or bacterial infections can lead to throat irritation, redness, and spots. For example, strep throat, a bacterial infection, can cause redness and spots in the throat.
The presence of black spots is less common in typical throat infections and might warrant further investigation.
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Other Possibilities
Other causes of throat irritation and spots include allergies, irritation from environmental factors (like smoke or pollution), or acid reflux.
Given that she's only experiencing slight throat irritation, it may not be an acute infection, but it's still important to monitor her symptoms.
In the meantime, ensure she stays hydrated and practices good oral hygiene, as these can help manage mild throat irritation and the presence of tonsil stones, if that's what she's experiencing.
If she is frequently having tonsil stones and they are causing discomfort or other issues, a consultation with an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist might be helpful to discuss further management options.