Tonsillitis isn't contagious but the infections that cause it are (for example, colds and flu). To stop these infections from spreading: stay off work or keep your child at home until you or your child feel better.
For example, you might say something like: Hello, Mr. Peterson; this is Mary. I woke up this morning with a fever and a sore throat, so I won't be able to come to work today. Please call me at home if you need anything, and I expect to be back at work tomorrow.
The 'stay home' symptoms
He says if you feel horrible and are not likely to be productive at work, it makes sense to stay home. "This might be due to the severity of specific symptoms like sore throat or cough, or an overall sense of tiredness and fatigue," he says.
Someone with strep throat should start feeling better in just a day or two after starting antibiotics. Call the doctor if you or your child are not feeling better after taking antibiotics for 48 hours. People with strep throat should stay home from work, school, or daycare until they: No longer have a fever.
Return to work/school — If you have been diagnosed with strep throat, stay home from work or school until you have completed 24 hours of antibiotics. Within 24 hours of beginning antibiotic treatment, you will feel better and will be less contagious [1].
Most people with strep can spread the infection to others until they have been on antibiotics for 24 to 48 hours. They should stay home from school, daycare, or work until they have been on antibiotics for at least a day.
Tonsillitis usually improves within a week and doesn't cause any long-term problems. You're more likely to have a severe infection or complications if you have a weak immune system. Complications are also more common in young children and older people.
Strep throat, which is an infection due to streptococcus bacteria, is another cause of sore throats and tonsillitis. With strep throat, the sore throat is often more severe and persists. Tonsillitis is a painful inflammation or infection of the tonsils, the tissue masses located at the back of the throat.
Tonsillitis is most often caused by common viruses, but bacterial infections also can be the cause. The most common bacterium causing tonsillitis is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus), the bacterium that causes strep throat.
Are you contagious? Just as you wouldn't want to be exposed to germs from a co-worker, they don't want you getting them sick, either. If you are coughing, blowing a runny nose, vomiting, have a sore throat or have a fever above 100 degrees, there is a good chance you may be contagious.
“Hi [Manager Name], so sorry for the last-minute text message, but I've had an unexpected illness come up, and I will have to take a sick day tomorrow. I've contacted [Name], who will be able to cover my shift in my absence. I hope to be better and able to work the following day, and will confirm with you tomorrow.
I started feeling unwell yesterday evening, and I feel even worse this morning. I'm not feeling well enough to come to the office, and I don't want to risk passing anything on to anyone else. I'm going to take a sick day today to recover. Hopefully, I will be able to come back to work tomorrow.
How tonsillitis is spread. Tonsillitis itself isn't contagious, but the infections that cause it are. Viruses, such as those that cause colds and flu, are spread through coming into close contact with someone who's infected.
Junk food is often fried or dry, both of which should be avoided if you have tonsillitis. You must also avoid them as they may be too hard on the throat. Spicy foods must be avoided completely as they cause inflammation in the tonsils and can also irritate the ears.
If tonsillitis is left untreated, a complication can develop called a peritonsillar abscess. This is an area around the tonsils that's filled with bacteria, and it can cause these symptoms: Severe throat pain. Muffled voice.
Although they have similar symptoms, tonsillitis may be milder than strep throat.
Treatment will depend on what caused your tonsillitis: most children and adults get viral tonsillitis (caused by a virus), which clears up on its own. for bacterial tonsillitis (caused by bacteria), a GP may prescribe antibiotics.
Most cases of viral tonsillitis clear up in a few days with fluids and plenty of rest. Antibiotics usually eliminate bacterial tonsillitis (strep throat) in about 10 days. Tonsillitis usually doesn't cause any serious or lasting health problems.
Painful swallowing is common to both bacterial and viral sore throats, but bacterial sore throats often come with red and swollen tonsils at the back of the throat. You may very well also see white patches or streaks of pus there.
(It may take three to five days for those people to recover without medication, he adds.) For tonsillitis caused by a viral infection, antibiotics are not recommended, says Dr. Clark. “The infection would typically resolve itself within five to seven days without any intervention,” he says.
Return to work/school — If you have been diagnosed with strep throat, stay home from work or school until you have completed 24 hours of antibiotics.
Strep throat can spread through direct contact, such as kissing or sharing utensils. You usually aren't contagious 48 hours after starting antibiotics. If you choose not to take antibiotics, you may be contagious for up to three weeks.
Once a person starts antibiotics for strep throat, they usually begin to feel better, often within 24 to 72 hours of starting the medicine, according to Clark.