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When I first found out I had tonsil stones, I actually had no idea what they were. My first thought was “Maybe I’m sick? Maybe I caught something?” After a little bit of research, I realized that I wasn’t the only one who thought tonsil stones could be contagious.
This is a very common and completely valid question from people who suffer from tonsil stones.
So, Are Tonsil Stones Contagious?
No. Tonsil stones are not contagious. Tonsil stones are a buildup of bacteria, food particles and other debris that accumulate and harden within the crypts of the tonsils. The bacteria and debris that make up tonsil stones are not contagious and cannot be passed from person to person.
That’s a relief, right? If you have tonsil stones, you don’t have to worry about passing them to other people. Likewise, if you know someone who has tonsil stones, you don’t have to worry about catching them!
Many people who have tonsil stones fear that they may be putting their loved ones and friends at risk of getting them as well, but you don’t have to worry about that at all.
You cannot catch or pass tonsil stones by:
- Being near someone with tonsil stones
- Sharing food
- Sharing drinks
- Kissing
Or anything else concerning you and another person.
But There’s One Exception…
Some people find that they get tonsil stones while they’re sick with the cold, flu or other illnesses. This is often due to increased mucus production and post-nasal drip that accompanies many illnesses. Because of this, a person may get tonsil stones if they catch an illness from someone else.
But that does NOT mean that the tonsil stones themselves are contagious!
For example; if you catch a cold from someone and end up with tonsil stones, this does not mean the person who you caught the cold from has tonsil stones too. It simply means that you are susceptible to forming tonsil stones when you’re sick.
Tonsil stones are not directly contagious.
But you may feel like you can call this an “exception” if you notice that you get tonsil stones whenever you catch an illness.
How Do You Get Tonsil Stones?
If you have tonsil stones, the truth is that you’re developing them completely on your own.
Our tonsils are covered in little pockets and flaps known as the “tonsil crypts”. They are a natural part of our tonsil anatomy.
The tonsil crypts are small, dry and dark spaces that are (unfortunately) perfect for trapping bacteria, food particles and debris.
As bacteria accumulates in the tonsil crypts, the disgusting, smelly balls we know as tonsil stones grow and form.
What Causes Tonsil Stones To Form?
This is a bit of a difficult question to answer. There are so many possible causes of tonsil stones that it’s impossible to give a single answer. This often makes it very hard for people to figure out what’s causing their tonsil stones in the first place.
Possible causes of tonsil stones include:
- Diet (too much dairy, sugar, soda, coffee, etc.)
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Inadequate oral hygiene
- Dehydration
- Post-nasal drip
- Illness (cold, flu, etc.)
- Allergies
And much more!
So as you can see, it’s very difficult to give someone a straightforward answer as to why they’re getting tonsil stones.
However, what we can say is that tonsil stones are caused by bacteria, food particles and other debris getting caught and building up within the tonsil crypts.
How Do You Avoid Tonsil Stones When Sick?
There are a few ways you can avoid tonsil stones when you’re sick with illnesses such as the cold or flu.
As mentioned previously, tonsil stones during a cold or flu are most likely caused by excess mucus and post-nasal drip.
So in order to avoid tonsil stones when sick, excess mucus must be kept to a minimum.
Here are a few suggestions on how to do this:
Take Anti-Mucus Medication
Nasal decongestants (such as Mucinex) work by thinning and loosening the mucus in order to clear away congestion. Nasal decongestants can be purchased over-the-counter at drugstores or online at a reasonable price.
If your tonsil stones are caused my excess mucus, then nasal decongestants may help clear away the mucus and prevent tonsil stones from forming while getting over an illness.
Please be sure to talk to your doctor before trying new medication, and only take nasal decongestants if it’s necessary.
Use A Humidifier
Humidifiers are devices that maintain humidity in a room by releasing moisture into the air. The humidity helps ease cold and flu symptoms by loosening and thinning the mucus naturally.
This is a great way to help prevent tonsil stones when dealing with illness, especially if you do not want to take medication.
Gargle With Warm Salt Water
Gargling warm salt water is a great way to loosen and clear away excess mucus. It’s a natural, home remedy that can be used as necessary. In addition, gargling is a great way to dislodge tonsil stones as well as clear away tonsil stone bacteria.
How to make a salt water solution:
Mix 1/2 or 1 tsp of salt with 8 ounces of warm water until dissolved.
How to use the salt water solution:
Gargle a mouthful of the salt water solution for 15-30 seconds.
Spit it out and repeat until there’s none left.
Make sure to tilt your head back while gargling so the salt water solution hit far to the back of your throat. This will ensure that the mucus becomes loosened.
Do not swallow the solution. It’s not dangerous if you swallow it, but it isn’t necessary to do so.
Tonsil Stones Are Not Contagious…
Thankfully, we don’t have to worry about catching tonsil stones or passing them on to other people. Instead, they develop on their own within the tonsil crypts.
You may find that you get tonsil stones when you’re sick with contagious illnesses that cause excess mucus, but that doesn’t mean that the tonsil stones themselves are contagious.
If you’re struggling with tonsil stones and you’d like to know how to get rid of them, check out my easy guide on preventing them by clicking here.