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It started with a very sore throat. In a day or two, round white spots appeared on my tonsils. I always had a fever and usually a stuffed-up nose. I could not eat and drink except for warm liquids...

You may have ulcerated tonsillitis. (I had that twice a year until I had a tonsillectomy at age 17.) If so, you need an antibiotic, not q-tips. Time to visit a doctor!