Tonsillitis is contagious. This means you can get it from someone else who has it. Sneezing and coughing can pass the tonsillitis-causing virus or bacteria from one person to the next. But you can protect yourself from catching tonsillitis or passing it to somebody else:

• Wash your hands frequently.
• If someone in your household or a friend has tonsillitis, don't use that
• person's cups, glasses, silverware, toothbrush, or other utensils. And if you have tonsillitis, keep your stuff separate and don't share it with anyone.
• Don't kiss your boyfriend or girlfriend until you're completely over the tonsillitis.
• Once you've recovered, throw out your toothbrush and buy a new one. That way you won't reinfect yourself.