Prevention

Frequent hand washing is the best way to prevent all kinds of infections, including tonsillitis. Wash your hands often, and encourage your children to do the same.

When you use soap and water:
•    Wet your hands with warm, running water and apply liquid or clean bar soap. Lather well.
•    Rub your hands vigorously for at least 15 seconds. Encourage your children to wash for as long as it takes to sing their ABCs, "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" or the "Happy Birthday" song.
•    Scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
•    Rinse well.
•    Dry your hands with a clean towel.
•    Use a towel to turn off the faucet.
If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Apply about 1/2 teaspoon of the sanitizer to the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces of your hands, until they're dry.

Other common-sense precautions apply, too. Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. Don't share drinking glasses or eating utensils. Avoid close contact with anyone who's sick. Look for a child care setting with sound hygiene practices and clear policies about keeping sick children at home.

Self-care

A sore throat can make you miserable. These tips can help.

•    Drink more fluids. Warm liquids — such as soup, broth and tea — are good choices.
•    Gargle with warm salt water. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, gargle, and then spit out the water.
•    Use honey and lemon. Stir honey and lemon to taste into a glass of hot water. Allow it to cool to room temperature before you sip it. The honey coats and soothes your throat, and the lemon helps reduce mucus. Note: Don't use honey or corn syrup in a drink for children younger than age 1.
•    Suck on a throat lozenge or hard candy. This stimulates saliva production, which bathes and cleanses your throat.
•    Humidify the air. Adding moisture to the air can reduce throat irritation and make it easier to sleep. Be sure to change the water in a room humidifier daily and clean the unit at least once every three days to help prevent the growth of harmful molds and bacteria.
•    Avoid smoke and other air pollutants. Smoke irritates a sore throat.
•    Rest your voice. Talking may lead to more throat irritation and temporary loss of your voice (laryngitis).
Think about others, too. If you're not feeling well, take a few days off to avoid spreading your germs.