What is the likely diagnosis for a 24-year-old man presenting with soft white plaques on his tongue and throat?

The symptoms described in the scenario point towards a diagnosis of candidal thrush, which is characterized by the presence of soft white plaques on mucous membranes, particularly in the mouth and throat. This condition is often caused by an overgrowth of Candida species, fungi that are normally present in small amounts in the oral cavity but can proliferate due to factors such as a weakened immune system, use of antibiotics, or other alterations in the oral flora.

In candidal thrush, these plaques can be easily scraped off, revealing a red, inflamed base, which is a key feature in differentiating it from other oral lesions. The patient’s age and presentation fit the common demographic for candidal thrush, especially if the patient has risk factors such as recent antibiotic use, immunosuppression, or other underlying conditions.

Other diagnoses, such as oral herpes simplex infection, may present with vesicular lesions that rupture and crust over rather than soft white plaques. Oral leukoplakia typically presents as white patches that cannot be scraped off and is often associated with tobacco use or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Bacterial pharyngitis primarily presents with sore throat and may feature exudates, but it does not typically cause soft white