How might you have strep throat with no symptoms?

Doubtful.: However, I have had strep several times without classic beefy red tonsils, exudates and enlarged nodes. I did have a sore throat and felt ill. Strep tests were positive. (other family members also had strep at that time). Sxs of strep throat can include: pain of throat; large, red tonsils with white exudates; small red dots on roof of the mouth; swollen lymph nodes on neck; fever, headache & rash.

Term use: We usually reserve this lay term for a sore throat where we find group a streptococcus present and give it credit as the cause.For most it will be. However, at least 5% of the population will carry strep a in their throat at any time and blood tests confirm they are not becoming infected. They just carry it and may pass it to others who do become infected.