How contagious is tonsillitis? | Tonsillitis in the baby

How contagious is tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis can be very contagious, depending on the pathogen, as it is transmitted via droplet infection. This means that it is sufficient for a sick person to cough or sneeze in the vicinity of the baby. The baby, especially very young babies, should be kept away from sick persons.

The risk of infection is very high, especially in paediatric practices and kindergartens. Therefore, babies should not spend long periods in the waiting room before routine examinations. In addition, tonsillitis can be contagious even before the onset of the disease.

Therefore, if there is a wave of illness in the kindergarten of older siblings, the baby should not come to pick up the older child. If one parent is ill, the other parent should take over the main care if there is a possibility. However, this is only of limited protection, as transmission occurs very quickly.

How to prevent tonsillitis in babies?

There is no real protection against tonsillitis. One protective measure for the baby is increased hygiene in everyday life. This includes regular disinfection of the hands.

A short stay in endangered rooms, such as kindergartens or doctors’ surgeries, can also prevent tonsillitis. Furthermore, there are various measures that can generally strengthen the baby’s immune system. Breastfeeding promotes the immune system of babies, but regular walks and a balanced diet for older babies also contribute to a healthy immune system.

Duration of tonsillitis in the baby

In many cases tonsillitis is not a single disease, but follows a viral cold. With proper treatment, acute tonsillitis usually heals in one to two weeks. In some cases, however, chronic tonsillitis may develop.

This is manifested by recurring inflammation and permanently enlarged palatine tonsils. In the case of chronic tonsillitis, surgical removal of the tonsils should be considered, but this is only recommended from the age of four years. Younger children and babies should only be operated on if there is otherwise a significant impairment of breathing.