Tonsils removed years ago...still carrying strep?

[problemsolver]

My spouse used to have to take time off from work a couple

times a year when her tonsils would balloon up. She'd take penicillin

for it. She had her tonsils out over a decade ago.

-Would these have been strep infections?

-Would she still be carrying strep?

-What test would parents get to see if they are carriers?

Edited June 28, 2011 by problemsolver

[peglem]

My spouse used to have to take time off from work a couple

times a year when her tonsils would balloon up. She'd take penicillin

for it. She had her tonsils out over a decade ago.

A) Would these have been strep infections?

Would she still be carrying strep?

C) What test would parents get to see if they are carriers?

A) They could have been strep infections, but you can't really tell at this point, unless its documented in her medical records.

B)It is possible to carry strep even after tonsils have been removed.

C) If they constantly swab positive for strep, but do not have typical symptoms of an infection. Sometimes, but not always, titers (ASO, AntiDnase) can be elevated. Strep carriage seems to be a gray area...