Is tonsillitis contagious, and how long does it stay contagious?

Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils, often due to infections. It can be caused by viruses or bacteria, making it contagious. If it is due to a bacterial infection, like streptococcus, it can be contagious until 24 hours after starting antibiotics. For viral causes, it may stay contagious for as long as symptoms are present.

Here are some key points:

• Bacterial Tonsillitis: Often becomes less contagious after starting antibiotics.
• Viral Tonsillitis: Remains contagious while symptoms last.

Infections like infectious mononucleosis are also contagious and can cause tonsillitis. This type of infection might stay contagious for a longer period, even weeks.

If you're experiencing symptoms and want to better understand what might be causing them, try our free AI symptom checker to get personalized insights. It's important to maintain good hygiene, like washing hands and avoiding close contact, to prevent the spread of tonsillitis.