Is Tonsillitis Contagious? (and other common questions about sore throats!)
Medically Reviewed by Dr Ali Zavery
Last updated on 14.06.2024
Tonsillitis, an inflammation of the tonsils, raises a common question: is it contagious? Caused by viruses or bacteria, tonsillitis can indeed be spread through airborne droplets, personal contact, and shared items. Understanding its contagious nature and implementing preventive measures is crucial for reducing its transmission and safeguarding public health.
What is Tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, which are the two oval-shaped lumps of tissue, located at the back of your throat. It’s a common condition, particularly among children, and can present with the following symptoms:
- Sore throat or “scratchy throat”
- Pain when swallowing
- Enlarged tonsils, sometimes with white spots or yellow/white/grey-ish coating
- Fever
- Tender, enlarged lymph nodes around the neck area
- Upset stomach (tummy pain or vomiting)
Tonsillitis can be caused by a virus or bacteria. The most common bacterial cause is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus), which also causes “strep throat”.
According to a 2016 review, Group A strep is responsible for 15–30% of sore throats in children, and 5–15% of sore throats in adults.
What is Tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, which are the two oval-shaped lumps of tissue, located at the back of your throat. It’s a common condition, particularly among children, and can present with the following symptoms:
- Sore throat or “scratchy throat”
- Pain when swallowing
- Enlarged tonsils, sometimes with white spots or yellow/white/grey-ish coating
- Fever
- Tender, enlarged lymph nodes around the neck area
- Upset stomach (tummy pain or vomiting)
Tonsillitis can be caused by a virus or bacteria. The most common bacterial cause is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus), which also causes “strep throat”.
According to a 2016 review, Group A strep is responsible for 15–30% of sore throats in children, and 5–15% of sore throats in adults.
Is Tonsillitis contagious?
There are numerous germs (pathogens) that can cause tonsillitis, and most are potentially quite contagious. The level of contagiousness depends on a few factors including:
- Which pathogen is present. Various viruses and bacteria differ in how contagious they are.
- Timing. With viral infections, people are often infectious for 2-3 days before developing symptoms, and may remain contagious until symptoms get better. Bacterial tonsillitis is usually less contagious once your fever is gone and/or you have been on antibiotics for 24 hours.
- Airborne spread. Infection can easily spread through droplets in the air when someone with an infection coughs or sneezes- so if a person has these symptoms, it may be easier for them to pass it on.
- Personal contact. Infections can also be transmitted through personal contact or sharing items like cutlery, drinking glasses, or toothbrushes.
- Your immune system. If your immune system is weakened, it can make it easier for you to catch an infection. Things that weaken the immune system include: being very young or very old, having a significant underlying medical condition, pregnancy, taking medications that suppress the immune system, radiotherapy, chemotherapy.
If you catch an infection from a person who has had tonsillitis, you may not necessarily develop the same symptoms yourself- for example, some viruses might cause a sore throat in one person but a runny nose and cough in the next person.
Can you still get strep throat if you’ve had a tonsillectomy?
Yes, you can still get strep throat if you’ve had a tonsillectomy. Unfortunately the bacteria that causes tonsillitis, commonly Group A Streptococcus, can still infect the throat, even if you have had your tonsils removed.
Symptoms of strep throat include: a sore throat that comes on quickly, fever (high temperature), white spots or pus on the tonsils, enlarged tender lymph nodes in the neck area, and the absence of a cough. Headache, neck stiffness and skin rashes can also occur.
How can you tell if it’s Glandular Fever?
Glandular Fever or “Infectious mononucleosis” is more likely if a person has enlarged tender lymph glands around the back of their neck, and also if tiredness is a very prominent symptom. Glandular fever tends to affect people of 10-30 years of age. There may be other symptoms such as a skin rash. A full blood count (FBC) may show certain features if a person has glandular fever.
Preventive Measures
To prevent the spread of infection, especially in communal settings like schools, it can help to ensure people:
- Wash their hands thoroughly and frequently.
- Avoid close contact with others who are sick.
- Cover their mouths with an elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Do not share food, drinks, or personal items like toothbrushes.
What is the treatment for tonsillitis and sore throat?
For milder symptoms, the focus should be on staying well hydrated, and using over-the-counter painkillers to reduce discomfort.
Treatment for tonsillitis also depends on whether the cause is viral or bacterial. Viral tonsillitis often gets better without specific medical treatment, whereas to clear bacterial tonsillitis and prevent more serious complications, antibiotics may be required. If a doctor thinks you have a bacterial infection and recommends an antibiotic, it is important to complete the full course to ensure it does not come back and to avoid complications like rheumatic fever or kidney inflammation.
When to See a Doctor
Consult a doctor or healthcare provider if you or your child has symptoms such as:
- A sore throat and fever that is not getting better after a few days
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- High fevers
- Unusual skin rashes
- Severe or worsening symptoms
