Childhood Infections
Recommended exclusion periods for childhood infections
| DISEASE | INCUBATION PERIOD | PERIOD WHEN INFECTIOUS | EXCLUSION PERIOD OF INFECTED PERSON | EXCLUSION OF CONTACTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athletes Foot | Unknown | Whilst active lesions present | No exclusion but treatment recommended | None |
| Chicken Pox | 11 – 21 days | 1 to 2 days before to 5 days after spots develop | For 5 days from onset of rash | None *Female staff see below |
| Conjunctivitis | Varies | None | No exclusion but treatment is recommended | None |
| Cytomegalovirus (CMV) | 3 – 8 weeks | Someone with CMV infection may shed the virus in body fluid secretions for years | None | None |
| Diarrhoea & Vomiting | Varies | Whilst having symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting | Until symptom free for 48 hours | None |
| Diphtheria | 2 – 5 days | Variable but usually 2 weeks or less | Until advised clear to return | HPU to advise |
| E. coli 0157 | 1 – 6 days | May be up to 3 weeks in children | HPU to advise | HPU to advise |
| Glandular Fever | 4 – 6 weeks | Whilst virus is present in the saliva | None | None |
| Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease | 3 – 5 days | From 2 – 3 days before to a few days after the appearance of rash | None but contact HPU if large numbers (The presence of a rash does not indicate infectivity) | None |
| Head lice | Eggs hatch in 7 – 10 days | Whilst lice or eggs remain alive on host | None. Parents should be advised to treat their child | None but contacts should be checked |
| Hepatitis A | 2 – 6 weeks | From 14 days before to 7 days after the appearance of first symptoms | Until 7 days from onset of jaundice and the person feels well | HPU to advise |
| Hepatitis B | 6 weeks to 6 months | One month before symptoms to 1 – 3 months after, however it is not infectious under normal nursery conditions (universal precautions should be adhered to) | Until person feels well | None |
| Hepatitis C | 2 weeks to 6 months | As Hepatitis B | Until person feels well | None |
| Herpes Simplex (cold sore) | 2 – 20 days | None | None | None |
| HIV | 1 – 12 weeks | Not infectious under normal nursery conditions (universal precautions should be adhered to) | None | None |
| Impetigo | 4 – 10 days | Whilst lesions present | Until lesions crusted/healed or 48 hours after starting antibiotics | None |
| Influenza | 1 – 3 days | Adults 1 day before until 5 days after onset Children 3 days before until 9 days after onset | Until recovered | None |
| Measles | 7 – 14 days | From a few days before to 4 days after the appearance of the rash | 5 days from onset of rash | None |
| Meningitis (Viral) | Varies | Depends on guidance | Until person feels well | None |
| Meningococcal Infection (Meningitis and Septicaemia) | Varies | Whilst organism remains in nose or throat. Most cases of infection are acquired from carriers rather than cases | Until person feels well | None |
| Molluscum Contagiosum | 19-50 days | Whilst lesions are present | None | None |
| Mumps | 12 –25 days (average 18) | From 6 days before to 9 days after onset of illness | 5 days from onset of swollen glands | None |
| Poliomyelitis | 3 – 35 days (average 7–14) | Whilst organism is present in the stools | As advised by HPU | HPU to advise |
| Ringworm (scalp/body) | 2 – 4 weeks | Whilst active lesions present | Exclusion is not required but it is recommended that treatment is commenced before return to school/nursery/childcare setting (Symptomatic pets should also be treated) | None |
| Rubella (German Measles) | 14 – 21 days | 7 days before to 6 days after onset of rash | 6 days from onset of rash | None *Female staff see below |
| Scabies | Few days to 6 weeks | Whilst mites remain alive on the host | Until 1st treatment completed | None Treat contacts |
| Scarlet Fever | 1 – 3 days | Day sore throat starts to 24 hours after commencing antibiotics | 24 hours from commencing antibiotics | None |
| Shingles | Reactivation | Until 7 days after rash appears | Exclude only if rash weeping and cannot be covered (Can lead to chicken pox in susceptible children) | None |
| Slapped Cheek (Parvovirus/Fifth Disease) | 4 – 20 days | Before the rash appears (but probably not afterwards) | Until clinically well | None *Female staff see below |
| Threadworms | 2 – 6 weeks | Whilst eggs still being produced (Eggs can survive for 2 weeks in the environment) | None Treatment advised | None Treatment advised |
| Tuberculosis | 2 – 10 weeks | Only when sputum contains bacteria | Until person feels well and 2 weeks after treatment started (Contact HPU for advice) | None. Close contacts may be screened |
| Warts and Verrucae | 2 – 3 months | Whilst warts are present | None | None |
| Whooping Cough (Pertussis) | 7 – 10 weeks | 2 – 4 days before until 21 days after start of coughing | 5 days from commencing antibiotic treatment |