Epiglottis Color Change: What Could It Mean? - Dr. Borucki

Question
Hello Dr Borucki,

I've had a sore throat for a few weeks. When looking in the back of my throat with a flashlight in the mirror I can see a change in my my epiglottis. It has always been visible in the mirror just by sticking my tongue out. It pops up.
it used to be all pink. It's now a whitish color.  But there's no pus. It looks like the tissue itself has all gone white. I went to an e.n.t. who said it's supposed to be white. I'm certain it was always pink. I don't drink or smoke. There's a big history of  cancer in my family.
Any ideas? Are they supposed to be white normally like this guy says?

Thanks for any help
Dez

Answer
It sounds like you have a sore throat, a bacterial or viral infection of that area.  Epiglottitis is a bacterial infection, usually strep that causes a serious infection.  This sounds more like a viral infection that will run it's course in 14 days.  If you have trouble swallowing (meaning unable to swallow, even liguids, then that would be an emergency, otherwise, it should get better on it's own.

Hope this helps...........