Strep Throat: Symptoms, Treatment, and When to Consider Tonsillectomy

Madeleine Herman
3 days ago
2 min read

By: Dr. Madeleine Herman, MD

A Guide from SCENT Houston – Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of Houston

Strep throat is one of the most common causes of severe sore throat — especially in children, teens, and adults with frequent upper respiratory infections. While most cases resolve quickly with antibiotics, some patients experience recurrent infections that may require evaluation by an ENT specialist.

At SCENT Houston, we help patients understand what strep throat is, how to treat it effectively, and when it’s time to consider more permanent solutions like tonsillectomy.

What Is Strep Throat?

Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by Group A Streptococcus. Unlike viral sore throats, strep throat tends to come on quickly and can be quite painful.

Common Symptoms Include:

Sudden, severe sore throat
Pain with swallowing
Fever
Swollen tonsils or white patches
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Headache or body aches
Absence of cough (a key distinction from a viral cold)

A rapid strep test or throat culture is required to confirm the diagnosis.

How Is Strep Throat Treated?

Strep throat is treated with antibiotics, most commonly:

Penicillin
Amoxicillin
Cephalexin

Antibiotics help:

Reduce symptoms
Shorten the course of the infection
Prevent complications like rheumatic fever
Decrease contagiousness

Most people feel significantly better within 24–48 hours of starting medication.

Why Does Strep Keep Coming Back?

Some patients experience recurrent strep throat, which may be due to:

Deep tonsil crypts that trap bacteria
Exposure to school/daycare environments
Antibiotic-resistant strains
Chronic carrier states

If strep throat keeps returning, it may be time for an ENT evaluation.

When to See an ENT Specialist

It’s important to see an ENT when strep throat becomes:

Frequent
Severe
Disruptive to school, work, or sleep
Combined with tonsillitis, snoring, or enlarged tonsils

An evaluation helps rule out chronic tonsil disease or other underlying airway problems.

When to Think About Tonsillectomy

A tonsillectomy is one of the most effective treatments for patients with repeated throat infections or tonsil-related issues.

You may be a candidate if:

👉 7 or more infections in one year

👉 5 per year for two consecutive years

👉 3 per year for three consecutive years

👉 Recurrent strep with high fevers

👉 Difficulty swallowing due to large tonsils

👉 Sleep-disordered breathing or snoring

👉 History of peritonsillar abscess

👉 Chronic tonsil stones, bad breath, or repeated tonsillitis

Removing the tonsils reduces the frequency and severity of throat infections and improves long-term quality of life.

The SCENT Houston Approach

At SCENT Houston, we offer:

Expert diagnosis of recurrent strep and tonsillitis
In-office testing and evaluation
Personalized medical treatment plans
Tonsillectomy when appropriate
Compassionate adult and pediatric ENT care

Whether you're dealing with your first strep infection of the season or your fifth, we’re here to help you breathe, sleep, and feel better.

📍 Ready for Relief?

If strep throat or recurrent tonsillitis is affecting your daily life, our ENT specialists can help.

SCENT Houston – Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of Houston

Serving Memorial • Tanglewood • Greater Houston

🌐 SCENTHouston.com

📞 833-723-6863

Schedule your visit today.