Strep Throat After Tonsillectomy: Can You Still Get It?

Question
if you have had your tonsils out can you still get strapthroat? iedw8@aol.com

Answer
Ina,

You certainly can.  Strepthroat is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus (group A strep) and does not need tonsils to infect the throat.  The term would be Streptococcal Pharyngitis.  The incidence may be reduced after tonsillectomy and the severity of the illness reduced due to the fact that the tonsilar lymphatic tissue does not expand or become swollen conveying greater morbidity and discomfort.

JP Saleeby, MD
www.saleeby.net