Ian, you are doing the sensible thing by following up with a specialist. He/she worked hard and long for that medical degree and I think you can trust them. If not, you can always get a second opinion. If you are really concerned that the throat problem has something to do with your sexual encounter may consulting a sexual health specialist would be a good idea. I worked with a girl once who got an STD (Ithink it was gonnoreah) in her throat. She had a week in hospital and we all visited her. No one in our office had heard of catching it in your throat before that. I truly wish you well and hope that it gets fixed soon. I had chronic tonsillitis myself, for no less than 6 years as the G.P. did not believe in rushing into tonsillectomy. I had them out at 17 and never looked back. Tonsillitis is pretty gruesome to look at and hellish painful. Take care, try to relax, be kind to yourself, and find a doctor that you can trust.