It is passed through coughing, sneezing, saliva therefore once airborne it is possible to contract this. When strep goes untreated, unnoticed the possibility of Rheumatic Fever sets in. This can impair a child for the duration of their life, affecting the heart and joints. Another rule of thumb is, when your child has six to nine recurrent infections of the tonsils, or strep the physician may then decide it is time for your child to have them removed and will send you to a specialist. Twenty years ago this procedure was done without thought and tonsils were removed even as precautionary measure.
New studies show that leaving the tonsils in is just as beneficial.
As we approach adulthood the tonsils begin to atrophy and rot away on their own. It is not uncommon however for an adult to get strep throat or tonsillitis and may even in adulthood have to have them removed, but the chances are few. If the swollen tonsils, a peritonsillar abscess or other condition impairs breathing which is life threatening. Inc. PageWise makes no representations about the content published on this site. PageWise hereby disclaims all warranties and conditions with regard to this information, and user agrees that all such use is at its own risk.