Exclusion Periods for Communicable Diseases
The following information is a guide, for more detailed information contact your GP or local health authority. There are also some notes on: Immunisations, Hand-washing and Good Hygiene Procedures, Cleaning up of Body Fluid Spills - "Universal Precautions", Vulnerable Children and Female Carers - Pregnancy which you may find helpful.
| Infection | Exclusion | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Athlete's Foot | None | None |
| Chickenpox | For 5 days from onset of rash | It s not necessary to wait until spots have healed or crusted. (important: see female carers, see vulnerable children) |
| Cold Sores (Herpes simplex virus) | None | Many healthy children and adults excrete this virus at some time without having a 'sore' |
| Conjunctivitis | None | If an outbreak occurs, consult Consultant in Communicable Disease Control |
| Diarrhoea and Vomiting | Until diarrhoea and vomiting has settled (neither in last 24 hrs) | Usually there will be no specific diagnosis and for most conditions there is no specific treatment. A longer period of exclusion may be appropriate for children under age 5 and older children unable to maintain good personal hygiene |
| E coli and Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome | Depends on the type of E. coli SEEK CCDC's ADVICE | SEEK CCDC's ADVICE |
| Fifth Disease | See Slapped Cheek Disease | |
| Flu (Influenza) | None | Flu is most infectious just before and at the onset of symptoms |
| German Measles (rubella) | 5 days from onset of rash | The child is most infectious before the diagnosis is made, and most children should be immune due to immunisation so that exclusion after the rash appears will prevent very few cases. (important: see female carers) |
| Giardiasis | Until diarrhoea has settled (no symptoms for 24 h) | There is a specific antibiotic treatment |
| Glandular Fever Infectious Mononucleosis) | None | |
| Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease | None | Usually a mild disease not justifying time off school |
| Head Lice (nits) | None | Treatment is recommended only in cases where live lice have definitely been seen. |
| Hepatitis A | There is no justification for exclusion of well older children with good hygiene who will have been much more infectious prior to the diagnosis. Exclusion is justified for 5 days from onset of jaundice or stools going pale for under 5's or where hygiene is doubtful. | |
| Hepatitis B or C | Although more infectious than HIV, Hepatitis B and C have only rarely spread within a school setting. Universal precautions will minimise any possible danger of spread of both hepatitis B and C. (See cleaning up body fluid spills) | |
| Herpes simplex virus | see Cold sores | |
| HIV/AIDS | HIV is not infectious through casual contact. There have been no recorded cases of spread within a school or nursery (See cleaning up body fluid spills) | |
| Impetigo | Until lesions crusted/healed | Antibiotic treatment by mouth may speed healing. If lesions can reliably be kept covered, exclusion may be shortened |
| Infectious Mononucleosis | See Glandular Fever | |
| Influenza | See Flu | |
| Measles | 5 days from onset of rash | Measles is now rare in the UK. (Important: see vulnerable children) |
| Molluscum contagiosum | None | A mild condition |
| Meningococcal Meningitis | The CCDC will give advice on any action needed | There is no reason to exclude from school siblings and other close contacts of a case. |
| Non-Meningococcal Meningitis | None | Once the child is well, infection risk is minimal |
| Mumps | 5 days from onset of swollen glands | The child is most infectious before the diagnosis is made, and most children should be immune due to immunisation |
| Nits | See Head Lice | |
| Parvovirus | See Slapped Cheek Disease | |
| Pertussis | See Whooping Cough | |
| Ringworm (Tinea) | None | Proper treatment by the GP is important. Scalp ringworm needs treatment with an antifungal by mouth. This infection is caused by a skin fungus and is not a worm at all. |
| Roseola | None | A mild illness, usually caught from well persons |
| Rubella | See German measles | |
| Scabies | Until treated | Outbreaks have occasionally occurred in schools and nurseries. Child can return as soon as properly treated. This should include all the persons in the household. |
| Scarlet Fever | 5 days from commencing antibiotics | Treatment recommended for the affected child |
| Slapped Cheek Disease (Fifth Disease /Parvovirus) | None | (IMPORTANT: see FEMALE CARERS Exclusion is ineffective as nearly all transmission takes place before the child becomes unwell |
| Salmonella | Until diarrhoea and vomiting has settled (neither for last 24 hrs) | If the child is under five years of has difficulty in personal hygiene, seek advice from the Consultant in Communicable Disease Control |
| Shigella (bacillary dysentery) | Until diarrhoea has settled (no symptoms for 24h) | If the child is under five years of has difficulty in personal hygiene, seek advice from the Consultant in Communicable Disease Control |
| Tinea | See Ringworm | |
| Tuberculosis (TB) | CCDC will advise on action | Generally requires quite prolonged, close contact for spread. Not usually spread from children |
| Threadworm | None | Transmission is uncommon in schools but treatment is recommended for the child and family |
| Tonsillitis | None | There are many causes, but most cases are due to viruses and do not need an antibiotic. For one cause, Streptococcal infection, antibiotic treatment is recommended. |
| Warts & Verrucae | None | Affected children may go swimming but verrucae should be covered |
| Whooping Cough (Pertussis) | 5 days from commencing antibiotics | Treatment (usually with erythromycin) is recommended though non-infectious coughing may still continue for many weeks. |
Important Notes
Immunisations
By the age of two, all children should have received 3 doses of diphtheria/tetanus/whooping cough/Hib and Polio immunisations and at least one dose of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) immunisation. By the age of five, all children should, in addition, have had a booster of diphtheria, tetanus and polio and a second dose of MMR.
Immunisation against Group C Meningococcal infection ("Men C") has recently been introduced. From the end of November 1999, babies will receive three doses of Men C (at 2, 3 and 4 months of age). There is also a catch up programme for older children which will run until late 2000. See the separate Department of Health site on the meningococcal C vaccination campaign.
Hand-washing and Good Hygiene Procedures
Effective hand washing is an important method of controlling the spread of infections, especially those that cause diarrhoea and vomiting.
Always wash hands after using the toilet and before eating or handling food using warm, running water and a mild, preferably liquid, soap. Rub hands together vigorously until a soapy lather appears and continue for at least 15 seconds ensuring all surfaces of the hands are covered. Rinse hands under warm running water and dry hands with a hand dryer or clean towel (preferably paper). Discard disposable towels in a bin. Bins with foot-pedal operated lids are preferable. If a food handler has diarrhoea or vomiting, the CCDC's advice should be sought urgently.
Cleaning up of Body Fluid Spills - "Universal Precautions"
Spills of body fluid - Blood, faeces, nasal and eye discharges, saliva and vomit - must be cleaned up immediately. Wear disposable gloves. Be careful not to get any of the fluid you are cleaning up in your eyes, nose, mouth or any open sores you may have.
Clean and disinfect any surfaces on which body fluids have been spilled. An effective disinfectant solution is household bleach solution diluted 1 in 10 with water, but it must be used carefully. Discard fluid-contaminated material in a plastic bag along with the disposable gloves. The glove, once securely sealed can be disposed of as normal "household" type waste. Mops used to clean up body fluids should be cleaned in a cleaning equipment sink (not a kitchen sink), rinsed with a disinfecting solution and dried. Ensure contaminated clothing is hot laundered (Minimum 60 degrees centigrade)
Vulnerable Children
Some children have medical conditions that make them especially vulnerable to infections that would rarely be serious in other children. Such children include those being treated for leukaemia or other cancers, children on high doses of steroids by mouth (not inhalers) and children with conditions which seriously reduce immunity. Usually schools or nurseries are made aware of such children through their parents, or carers, or the school health service. These children are especially vulnerable to chickenpox or measles. If a vulnerable child is exposed to either of these infections, the parent or carer(s) should be informed promptly so that they can seek further medical advice as necessary.
Female Carers - Pregnancy
Some infections if caught by a pregnant woman can pose a danger to her unborn baby.
Chickenpox can affect the pregnancy of a woman who has not previously had the disease. More than 95% of the adult population are immune to chickenpox, but if a pregnant woman is exposed early in pregnancy (the first 20 weeks) or very late in pregnancy (the last 3 weeks before giving birth) she should promptly inform her GP and/or midwife so that a blood test can be arranged to check her immune status.
If a woman who is not immune to German Measles (Rubella) is exposed to this infection in early pregnancy her baby can be affected. Female staff should be able to show evidence of immunity to rubella, or if that is not possible, have a blood test and, if appropriate, immunisation. If a woman who may be pregnant comes into contact with rubella she should inform her GP or midwife promptly.
Slapped Cheek Disease (Fifth Disease, Parvovirus) Occasionally, this infection can affect an unborn child. If a woman is exposed in early pregnancy (before 20 weeks) she should promptly inform whoever is giving her antenatal care.
