This is something I'd have checked out. No white spots/white residue speaks more of an infection or irritation due to drainage than an illness like strep or mono, but there are exceptions for everything. If it is a drainage issue, and your ears are involved, it could be because the irritation is also affecting the openings of the eustacian (sp?) tubes in the throat. I'd personally try a strong antihistimine like benedryl to clear up the drainage and licorice tea with slippery elm to soothe the mucous membranes.
Either way, you *should* go get a physician's opinion on it... but if you decide to hold off (little to no swelling of the lymph nodes, low or no fever) look into the hippy herbal cures I have.