Is Tonsillitis
Contagious
Is
Tonsillitis Contagious?
Tonsillitis is
the inflammation of tonsils. Namely the three main types of tonsillitis
are chronic, sub-acute and acute. Infection of bacteria is responsible
behind chronic tonsillitis. Sub-acute tonsillitis is caused by actinomyces,
whereas acute tonsillitis is caused by bacterial viral infection. These
days’ people are getting more aware and therefore; they often ask their
doctors: is tonsillitis contagious? The answer to this question is
yes; it is 100 percent contagious. Tonsillitis often starts with a severe
sore throat. The pain extends to a patient’s ears, accompanied by
difficulty in swallowing, bad breath, headache, and cough. The tonsils
become red and swollen. Tonsils get covered by white, yellow or sometimes
a grayish substance which is the main sign of tonsillitis.
Since the
answer to the question is tonsillitis contagious is; yes. Naturally
the next question is how you get it. Tonsillitis is caused by transferring
of fluids between the infected person and the healthy person. The nasal
fluids which secrete from the infected person due to sneezing, blowing
their nose or coughing are quite infectious, and can spread the disease
much quickly. Kissing the infected person or making hand contact can also
make a healthy person catch the bacteria of tonsillitis. When pathogens
make contact with any part of the body they can start the infection. Be it
your skin, mouth or nasal cavity. If the tonsillitis is caused by
bacterial invasion it can remain contagious for up to two weeks, if not
given antibiotics. The antibiotics help in shortening the period of
contagiousness; however, even after the use of antibiotics it remains
contagious for a period of 24 to 48 hours.
Naturally,
after finding the answer to is tonsillitis
contagious; you must be wondering how we can avoid getting
infected. If someone in your surroundings gets tonsillitis, you must make
sure to wash your hands regularly with soap and water after being in
contact with that person. Do not share plates or glasses with the infected
person, and if your spouse or boy friend/girl friend gets tonsillitis,
avoid kissing them. The person who gets tonsillitis should try to rest and
avoid people for a few days. Once the right treatment starts, signs of the
disease gradually start to lessen. If given the right treatment,
tonsillitis can be cured in less than a week. If the tonsillitis is of
bacterial nature, only then will your doctor prescribe antibiotics. Since
the tonsillitis can be viral as well, usually in such cases there is no
need to give any such medicines. Our body is capable of fighting the
disease off. Though, the doctor may prescribe medicines for other
symptoms, such as fever and pain. As you now know is tonsillitis
contagious, it is important to teach your school going children the
importance of washing hands regularly; to best try to avoid catching
tonsillitis.
I hope this
article has given you the necessary information regarding, is
tonsillitis contagious, how do you get it, how can you prevent it and
how can it be treated. Now you would be better able to take care of
yourself and those around you, in case you see signs of tonsillitis
appear.
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treatments, please go to this link >>>
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Tonsillitis Contagious
What Makes Tonsillitis Contagious?
Pathogens are
what make tonsillitis contagious. These are the agents responsible
for making tonsillitis contagious. When an infected person breaths
them out, or they are released due to coughing or sneezing; they pass
through air and make contact with a healthy person. This person gets
infected as a result. Tonsillitis is highly contagious. Therefore, if you
or your children get sick, you need to be careful about making contact
with others.
School children
often catch tonsillitis due to the same reason. On an average a child
might catch this disease at least once during the school year. This is for
the reason that often children play and work in close proximity of other
children. As the children are usually carefree; they are not careful about
avoiding their friends, if they are sick. Similarly, along with playing
children often share their lunch or may eat together during lunch hour.
Sharing food, forks, straws all make tonsillitis
contagious, as the pathogens are present in our saliva as well. As
both our noses (through which we breathe in the virus) and our mouths are
connected to our throat, in either case our tonsils start fighting with
this unwanted invasion in our body and the result is inflammation and
irritation of tonsils.
You may also
get an infection if pathogens get in contact with your skin or anything
that may come in contact with your mouth. For instance if you get some
pathogen on your hand and then eat, you are likely to catch the disease.
As you now know what makes tonsillitis contagious; it is very
important to regularly wash your hands and making sure you do that before
meals. Hand sanitizers are now commonly and easily available, you should
make a habit of carrying one; in case you don’t find water.
As pathogens
enter your system; initially your tonsils try to battle with them, but if
they are not successful you see the first signs of symptoms after 2 to 5
days of being exposed to a sick person. The first sign is a scratchy, sore
throat this is usually coupled with fever. Then the person would feel
inflammation and swelling in the throat. This causes difficulty in
breathing and swallowing. Some patients may even get pain in their neck
and ears due to the presence of bacteria. A typical symptom of tonsillitis
which is enough for a doctor to diagnose is that tonsils get covered by a
yellow and sometimes even grey substance. This patchy covering is
accumulation of white blood cells. The WBCs are naturally present in our
tonsils. Their purpose is to fight any unwanted microorganisms and bad
bacteria that enter our system. When they are unable to do so, they get
accumulated on our tonsils and usually go away as the patient is treated.
Your doctor
may sometime do further investigations to be 100% sure what has caused
your tonsillitis as it could be both viral and bacterial. In case of a
bacterial infection your doctor prescribes, antibiotics which ensure the
bacteria don’t spread further and the patient is not contagious to others.
Hopefully this article gave you some idea about what makes tonsillitis
contagious and how to prevent it.
>>> Tonsillitis Cure
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