Can You Get Strep Without Tonsils?

The simple answer is, "Yes, you can."

Strep throat refers to acute exudative tonsillopharyngitis. A bacterium called streptococcus pyogenes causes this infection and it can hurt a person even if they have removed their tonsils. The only thing is that people without tonsils are usually at a lower risk of developing this infection. You have four main clusters of lymph tissues in your throat – pharyngeal tonsils, Eustachian tube tonsils, lingual tonsils, and palatine tonsils. A band of tissue called Waldeyer's Ring surrounds the back of your throat. Any of these tissues can get infected and cause strep throat. Your doctor may consider removing all of the lymph tissue, but they usually remove pharyngeal tonsils only when you experience recurrent strep throat.

Get Medical Assistance

Instead of asking, "Can you get strep throat without tonsils?" you should go see your doctor for assistance. If it is strep throat, it isn't going to go away in a few days, as it might be a bacterial infection and you may have to take antibiotics.

Follow Your Doctor's Advice

You need to pay attention to what your doctor suggests. You may have to take plenty of rest and use liquid antibiotics, because it's usually painful to swallow anything.

Get Some Sleep

You need to take plenty of rest and get some sleep as well. You need to rest to give your immune system enough time and resources to clear the infection. Add at least 4-5 hours of sleep during the daytime, and sleep at least eight hours at night. Turn overhead fans off or else it will lead to postnasal drip.

Gargle Several Times

Add some salt in water and use this saline solution for gargling. Rinse your mouth well after gargling. Be sure not to drink the salt water.

Use Lozenges

You can consider sucking on herbal lozenges to feel better. Avoid giving these lozenges or candies to small children as it may cause a choking hazard. Don't mix lozenges and throat sprays as it will affect the lining of your throat.

Drink Plenty of Water

You need to keep yourself hydrated and drink plenty of water as well as chicken broth, fruit juices and green tea. Prepare a cup of green tea by adding lemon and honey to it. The presence of vitamin C in lemon will help fight the strep bacteria, whereas the honey will soothe your throat.

Try Humidifiers or Vaporizers

Avoid overexposure to dry, hot air. The best thing is to invest on a humidifier if you find yourself dealing with a strep throat quite often. This will add moisture to the air and make breathing easier. You can create the same humidifying effect by boiling a couple of cups of water and pour it in a heat-safe tray. Now, place this tray in your room to add moisture to the air. Be sure not to go overboard with the idea of raising humidity level in your room.

Is it possible to have strep throat without a sore throat?

No, it is not possible.

Strep throat itself is a condition that refers to the symptom of acute sore throat. It usually accompanies with fever, headache, and swollen neck lymph glands. Younger children may also develop certain stomach symptoms as well. It is possible to have strep bacteria in your body with no symptoms at all. In this case, you're only a carrier.

What are the complications if you leave strep throat untreated?

It is important to take antibiotics in most cases, but your symptoms may also disappear within ten days or so. Antibiotics are usually important to prevent complications, such as an infection of the tonsil called abscess. You may also develop scarlet fever or rheumatic fever if you don't use antibiotics or leave strep throat untreated.

Will tonsillectomy prove to be beneficial for strep throat?

Removing tonsils will definitely decrease the frequency of strep throat, but it is not a surefire way of eliminating the issue. You may experience fewer infections, but tonsillectomy won't offer complete protection.