What happened? Removing the tonsils (tonsillectomy) may provide relief for children who struggle with recurrent strep throat.

Children with recurrent strep throat whose tonsils are intact are more than three times as likely to develop subsequent episodes of strep throat as are children who've had their tonsils removed, Mayo Clinic researchers report.

Researchers examined the medical records of 290 children between ages 4 and 16 who had three or more diagnoses of strep-related sore throat (pharyngitis) or inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis) at least one month apart, within 12 months. Among children who had a tonsillectomy, the overall risk of subsequent strep throat infections was 23 percent. For children whose tonsils remained intact, the overall risk of subsequent strep throat infections was 58 percent.

Strep throat is most common in children between ages 5 and 15, but it affects people of all ages. In addition to throat soreness, strep throat may cause a fever and tender, swollen neck glands. Younger children may complain of abdominal pain.

Although strep throat itself isn't dangerous, untreated strep throat may lead to potentially serious complications — including inflammation of the kidneys (nephritis), scarlet fever and rheumatic fever.

What does this mean to you? If your child has recurrent strep throat, removing his or her tonsils may decrease the number of infections. This may lead to fewer missed school days and an improved quality of life. Tonsillectomy isn't necessarily recommended for every child with recurrent strep throat, however.

While research continues, the decision to remove a child's tonsils must be weighed against various factors — including the risks of anesthesia and bleeding after the procedure and missed school days to recover from the procedure, as well as the risks and benefits of simply treating each recurrent episode of strep throat.