Strep Throat without Tonsils

Strep throat is a common medical problem, characterized by bacterial infection primarily in the pharynx portion. Medically referred to as acute streptococcal pharyngitis, it also affects the larynx (voice box) and the tonsils in maximum cases. Many people who have their tonsils removed still experience symptoms that resemble strep throat. In such cases, many people have wondered, "can you catch strep throat without tonsils?" In order to get the answer of this query, let's try to understand the root cause of strep throat and associated symptoms of strep throat.

Causes of Strep Throat

Strep throat is most common among children and teenagers, though strep infection can take place in all age groups. The bacterial strain that cause step throat is Streptococcus pyogenes, also called group A streptococcus bacterium. It normally lives in the mouth and nose without causing infection signs. However, when there is favorable condition, it multiplies repeatedly and cause infection. This particular strain is also responsible for majority of the illnesses associated with streptococcal infection.

We often assume painful sore throat as a strep throat, which is not so. Sore throat is usually caused due to viral infections in the throat area and is associated with cough, hoarseness, runny nose and red eyes. In case of strep throat, constant irritation of the pharynx is observed along with painful sore throat, swollen tonsils, enlarged lymph nodes, white patches in the throat and fever. Tonsils are lymphatic mass of tissues located on either side of the oral pharynx. They help fight infections originating from the mouth and nose. However, tonsils themselves may get infected and inflamed, a condition called tonsillitis.

The symptoms of strep throat and tonsillitis are quite similar. Patients of these medical problems manifest inflamed tonsils and throat pain. And most people have a misconception that once tonsillectomy procedure is performed to remove tonsils, the particular candidate will not get strep throat. This is totally wrong as strep throat is infection of the throat, not necessarily tonsils. In simple terms, a patient who has undergone tonsillectomy for removal of tonsils do not get tonsillitis afterwards. But, he/she is still susceptible to strep throat or acute streptococcal pharyngitis.

According to a medical survey, health experts found that kids who have their tonsils removed get fewer incidences of strep throat than they used to suffer before tonsillectomy. Nevertheless, this does not mean that tonsillectomy is an effective treatment option for curing recurrent strep throat. There are certain aspects that need to be considered while deciding whether tonsil removal should be done or not. For example, the risk of surgery and the overall health condition of the child should be analyzed beforehand.

Speaking about the symptoms of strep throat without tonsils, they are similar to the typical strep throat cases. Needless to mention, the only exception in this case is that there is no inflamed tonsils, as they are already removed. It is contagious and can spread by contacting the secretions of the nose and mouth of the infected person. In order to confirm strep throat after the tonsils are removed, the physician may perform a quick strep throat test and throat swab culture.

If the diagnostic results are positive, treatment of this condition is proceeded in the same way as for a regular strep throat. The doctor usually prescribe antibiotic medications and other self-care tips to get strep throat relief. Effectual home remedies to treat the symptoms are gargling with warm saline water, drinking plenty of fluids, over-the-counter throat sprays and using a room humidifier, especially when strep throat is associated with difficulties in breathing. With correct treatment intervention, any strep throat problem is treated effectively.