Strep and tonsils questions

[packrat]

If you have your tonsils taken out, does that mean you generally don't get strep throat anymore? I have always been under the impression that tonsils had nothing to do w/strep, and that they didn't need to be taken out unless you got tonsilitis often. Is that not true?

Seems we've been having strep often here. London had it twice last year and she and JD are going up today for swabs to see if they have it now. Trapper had a swab done Tuesday b/c Monday he had a fever and slept most of the day and then that night complained his mouth hurt. Tuesday he seemed fine but just in case, we tested him, it was negative, so they sent a back up plate over to the hospital lab which grew positive. That made me kind of wonder b/c I felt like I had something stuck in my throat Monday (I was eating popcorn and thought I got a hull stuck), and Mon/Tues I was really tired and felt a little nauseated. So, swabbed me at work yesterday, it was negative, but the back up plate grew positive this morning.

Talking w/one of the nurses this morning, she mentioned it might be a good idea for us to have our tonsils out. London's had it twice in the last year (three times if she has it now, or maybe she's tied w/Trapper, I'd have to check) and this is Trapper's third, maybe 4th time. Nurse wonders if I'm a carrier and it just won't ever get totally cleared up unless the tonsils come out. It was just a random thing, my getting tested, a just in case thing, and I don't *feel* sick, really. Tired and a tiny nauseated now and again, like you feel when you think you're coming down w/something. Makes me wonder if this is why I feel like I'm getting sick so much anymore.

Years ago, just into my 20's I went to the Dr. for a stye in my eye, and mentioned I was really tired and my throat had hurt a few days before that for a little bit, but felt fine otherwise, I thought it all was b/c of the stye. The PA called the Dr in after she looked in my throat and he chewed me up one side and down the other for not coming in earlier-he said my throat was so full of nasties he couldn't believe I wasn't in horrible pain. I felt nothing.

If taking our tonsils out is the best thing, then we'll do it. I don't want to put the kids and myself thru surgery if it's not needed tho. London and I both have huge tonsils, so maybe it's a good idea to take them out anyway. I don't know.

Are tonsils really that big a deal to keep in the grand scheme of things? Is it better to just take them? How do you know if you're a carrier?

 

[Jennifer W]

I get tonsilitis regularly. It's horrible. Not as horrible as the surgery that would prevent it, though. From what I've seen, that's truly horrible for an adult.

Not always successful either - DH had his tonsils removed when he was 5 and just enough of the tissue was left behind that he still catches tonsilitis every time I do.

I don't think they have anything to do with a throat infection - I get both, regularly, and they're different. I could be wrong.

I feel for you - I have large tonsils too, and when they swell, it's like my neck becomes a solid mass. Horrible.

I'm too chicken to have them removed, though.

 

[LAJennifer]

When I was 28 years old, I contracted strep for the first time. I got it again just 2 months later . . . and then 2 months after that. I had strep 5 times that year. I then had a tonsillectomy at my doctor's recommendation. I haven't had strep since.

 

[somethingshiny]

From what I understand, the tonsils harbor a lot of germs. If for some reason they're harboring the strep bacteria, it makes sense that removing them would be good. My son had a tonsillectomy when he was 2.5 due to chronic tonsillitis. He hasn't even had a sore throat since then.

However, every adult I know whose had a tonsillectomy says it's truly awful. The kids don't mind so much.

 

[packrat]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Sounds like tonsils do have something to do w/strep. Hmm..might have to give some thought to having them removed then. JD had his out when he was a little kid, and this is the 2nd time he's had it. The first time was about 12 years ago, and he was so horribly sick he hallucinated and probably should have gone to the ER. So, I suppose it's like getting vaccinated, not a 100% guarantee that you'll never get it again, but reduces the risk so much it's worth it.

The nurse I was talking to had hers out 6 months or so ago, I can't remember, but she's really glad she did. She and her kids were sick w/it all the time. She said she also had super large tonsils and found out things were..encapsulated? I'm not sure what that means exactly. She used another word too..cystic or septic or something. Anyway, it sounded gross!

I'll sneak in and talk w/one of the providers at work on Wednesday and see what they recommend.

 

[Tuckins1]

Strep throat does not necessarily have anything to do with your tonsils. If you have your tonsils out then you won't get tonsillitis anymore. (Obviously)

 

[packrat]

Tuckins, that's what I'd always figured, which is why I was so confused. I've worked in my Dr's office for 6 1/2 years and don't recall anyone ever being diagnosed w/tonsilitis, but we do have a lot w/strep, and after several times, they get their tonsils out. The ENT's all recommend it and I never quite understood why. Makes me confused on if we should have them out or not.