For the past three days my throat has been sore. When I looked inside my mouth today I saw white patches on the left side, top of my mouth. Also, the back of my throat looked bumpy. THe white patch begins a little bit above my tongue and is spread out till it reaches my uvula. When I swallow, I feel a sharp stinging pain on the right side of my throat. I don't feel like my throat is swollen, it just hurts very badly. I don't have my tonsils anymore, I had peritonsillar cellulitis about four years ago and had to get them removed. My biggest concern is I've been a smoker for 6 years (unfortunately). I'm only 21, but is it possible the smoking is catching up to me already?