Persistent red throat

(19F)I really hope someone can help. This has been giving me quite a bit of anxiety. So, in January, i got my first ever tonsil stone. Never had any before, but found out from parents i had tonsillitis very often as a kid, anyways, ever since the first stone, i was picking and trying to get any stones out. Since January, i have had this red throat that doesn’t go away. Went to a pharmacist due to anxiety and he said my throat does look quite inflamed and gave me penecilin tablets and difflam spray but it didn’t help. Went to my gp who just said that the tonsils look normal. About three weeks ago i started getting this nasty taste in my mouth, not constantly tho, just for a bit throughout the day, then 4 days ago i found a hidden stone hiding behind my tonsil pillar, but the taste hasn’t disappeared. Called 111(im from the uk) and asked for advice, they sent me to a pharmacy and the pharmacist looked at my throat and said it is quite inflamed, however out of her expertise. I will be trying to book another gp appointment but its kinda hard right now as theyre always busy. can anyone help? I dont have any other symptoms at all, apart from i had a sore throat a week ago and congested nose from i virus i caught from my boyfriend. Its making me a little worried. Never had any issues with my throat before the stones. Have i just irritated it a lot?