How long is tonsillitis contagious, and how long should you take off from work or school?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Tonsillitis is often contagious when caused by viral or bacterial infections, spreading through coughs, sneezes, and shared utensils. If you have bacterial tonsillitis, stay home until you've taken antibiotics for at least 24 hours. For viral tonsillitis, remain home until symptoms significantly improve and fever resolves.

Not sure if your sore throat is tonsillitis or something else? Symptoms like throat pain, swollen glands, and fever can point to many different conditions, and identifying the cause early helps you recover faster and avoid spreading illness to others. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand what's going on and get clear guidance on your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

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Explanation

Contagious Period of Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis can be caused by various pathogens, including viruses and bacteria. The contagious period depends on the underlying cause:

Viral Tonsillitis: This type is often caused by common viruses, such as the adenovirus or Epstein-Barr virus. Viral tonsillitis is contagious as long as symptoms are present, which can vary from a few days to a week.
Bacterial Tonsillitis: The most common bacterial cause is Group A Streptococcus (strep throat). This type is contagious until the person has been on appropriate antibiotics for at least 24 hours. After this period, the risk of spreading the infection significantly decreases.

Time Off from Work or School

The duration of time off from work or school can vary based on the severity of symptoms and the cause of the tonsillitis:

If Bacterial: If diagnosed with bacterial tonsillitis and prescribed antibiotics, individuals should stay home for at least 24 hours after starting treatment. It is also advisable to remain at home until they feel well enough to participate in normal activities, which may take a few days.
If Viral: For viral tonsillitis, individuals should stay home until they feel better and are no longer experiencing significant symptoms, such as fever, severe sore throat, or fatigue. This may take several days, depending on the individual's recovery.

General Recommendations

In addition to staying home during the contagious period, individuals with tonsillitis should practice good hygiene to prevent spreading the infection. If you're experiencing symptoms and want to better understand what might be causing them, try our free AI symptom checker for personalized insights. This includes:

Washing hands frequently.
Avoiding close contact with others.
Not sharing utensils, drinks, or personal items.

(References)

Windfuhr, J.P., Toepfner, N., Steffen, G. _et al._ Clinical practice guideline: tonsillitis I. Diagnostics and nonsurgical management. _Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol_ 273, 973–987 (2016).
KidsHealth. (n.d.). _Tonsillitis_. Nemours Children's Health. Retrieved December 19, 2024, from
Schwartz RH, Kim D, Martin M, Pichichero ME. A Reappraisal of the Minimum Duration of Antibiotic Treatment Before Approval of Return to School for Children With Streptococcal Pharyngitis. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2015 Dec;34(12):1302-4. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000000883. PMID: 26295745.

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