Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils caused by bacteria or viruses in the body, which can lead to tonsil stones if the tonsil infection is persistently inflamed. Tonsillitis is capable of being contagious. Most acute tonsillar infections are caused by viruses or bacteria, and depending on the cause, tonsillitis may or may not be contagious. If the cause is viral, it is usually contagious, but depending on whether a person has been previously exposed to that particular virus, it can be transmitted when people are first exposed to the virus, which usually occurs in childhood or adolescence. It is usually transmitted through direct person-to-person contact, as well as through the respiratory tract and fecal mouth. If the cause of tonsillitis is bacterial, it is also contagious. For example, streptococcal throat is highly contagious. If tonsillitis is chronic or caused by a chronic condition, such as sinusitis, hay fever or chronic rhinitis, it may not be contagious. Typically, tonsillitis caused by viral infections is contagious for about 7 to 10 days; tonsillitis caused by bacteria can remain contagious for up to about two weeks. So, try to disinfect and sterilize the items used by tonsillitis patients.