How contagious is tonsilitis? URGENT

[Piglet]

Arrrggghhhh!! DS2 just came down with tonsilitis. I am going to a wedding across the continent with DD (6 weeks old) in less than a week! Does anyones know how contagious tonsilitis is? I would hate for DD to catch it at this age, but even moreso given the fact that we have to fly cross-country on Thursday. I am trying to keep the kids separate, but it is impossible. Daycare told me that DS is ocntagious for the first 24 hours of taking antibiotics, so he can come back to daycare tomorrow if he is feeling well enough. What about the last 24 hours, when we didn't know he had tonsilitis?

Any BTDT advice?\

Thanks,

[R2sweetboys]

Hmmm, does he have Strep or just tonsillitis? I'm just curious because as I understand it, Strep is pretty rare in kids under 5. If it isn't Strep(bacterial), it's most likely viral which wouldn't respond to abx anyway. Did your ped do a Strep test or was there a reason why s/he thought it was bacterial rather than viral? I would just do lots of hand-washing and try to keep DS from putting his hands on the baby for now. If you are nursing, that's always a bonus too! I hope your little guy is feeling better soon and that the rest of you manage to escape it. Take care,

~Leslie

SAHM to...
Ryan 8/14/00
Matthew 2/14/03

[elephantmeg]

not very IME thought I don't have any evidence to base it on-just experience! Although strep is but babies don't tend to get strep. Good handwashing, no kissing and no coughing on the baby should be sufficient!