Tonsillitis caused by a viral infection is generally contagious for between 7 to 10 days, whereas bacterial tonsillitis may be contagious for up to two weeks. In some cases infected individuals are chronic carriers and can be mildly contagious for extended periods of time.
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.
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.
Tonsillitis does not usually spread between people.
If someone in your household or a friend has tonsillitis, don't use that person's cups, glasses, silverware, toothbrush, or other utensils. And if you have tonsillitis, keep your stuff separate and don't share it with anyone. Don't kiss anyone until you're completely over the tonsillitis.
To stop these infections spreading: if you or your child have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better. use tissues when you cough or sneeze and throw them away.
Penile-oral contact is the single highest risk factor for gonococcal tonsillitis.
Fried food must be avoided if you have tonsillitis. As these foods might cause irritation in the tonsils. 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.
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.
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.
Your tonsils may be covered with a white coating or white flecks of pus. Your symptoms may last for a week. If they're getting worse or are very bad, contact your GP surgery for advice. There's more about when to see your GP in the FAQ section on this page.
Share on Pinterest Tonsillitis itself is not contagious, but the viruses and bacteria that cause it are. Tonsillitis is the body's inflammatory response to an infection of the tonsils. Tonsillitis itself is, therefore, not contagious. The viruses and bacteria that cause tonsillitis, however, are contagious.
While tonsillitis itself isn't contagious, you can still spread the viruses or bacteria that have caused it. The infection is usually spread through droplets from coughing or sneezing or through touching contaminated surfaces.
Glandular fever (also knowns as infectious mononucleosisis, or “mono”) is an infection caused by the Epstein Barr virus, a kind of herpes. It usually causes an illness much like tonsillitis, although the symptoms may be more severe and last for a longer period of time.
Drink water, tea (herbal or decaf), broth, soup, and non-caffeinated sports drinks e.g. Gatorade. Hot tea with lemon and honey can help. Gargle with warm salt-water. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of regular table salt in 8 ounces (240 ml) of warm water, gargle for a few seconds, spit it out, then repeat a few times.
Salt water gargle
Gargling with warm salt water may help loosen tonsil stones. A person can prepare this by adding half a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water. They can gargle the liquid for several seconds and repeat if necessary. Saltwater gargles may also help relieve a sore, scratchy throat.
Oropharyngeal infections with Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis (Serovar D-K) can cause pharyngitis and tonsillitis with sore throat, but are completely asymptomatic in most cases. Asymptomatic infections are an important, but frequently overlooked reservoir for new infections.
The infections that cause tonsillitis are spread through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, or sharing food or drinks. Close contact with a sick individual raises the risk of tonsillitis. Viral and bacterial tonsillitis are very contagious.
Some kids get tonsillitis, or infected tonsils, again and again. A new study found that strep, a germ that causes tonsillitis, can trick the body's immune system. Because of the trick, the body's immune cells kill each other, rather than the germ. But this only happens in certain people who are vulnerable.
You're usually no longer infectious 24 hours after starting a course of antibiotics, but this time period can sometimes vary. For example, the antibiotics may take longer to work if your body takes longer to absorb them, or if you're taking other medicine that interacts with the antibiotics.
To stop these infections from spreading: stay off work or keep your child at home until you or your child feel better.