Condition

Recommended period to be kept away from school (once child is well)

Comments

Chickenpox

Until all spots have crusted and formed a scab – usually five-seven days from onset of rash

Chicken pox causes a rash of red, itchy spots that turn into fluid-filled blisters. They then crust over to form scabs, which eventually drop off.

It's fine to send your child to school with a minor cough or cold. But if they have a fever, keep them off school until the fever goes.

Encourage your child to throw away any used tissues and to wash their hands regularly.

Cold sores

None

Many healthy children and adults excrete this virus at some time without having a ‘sore’ (herpes simplex virus)

German measles

Five days from onset of rash

The child is most infectious before the diagnosis is made and most children should be immune to immunisation so that exclusion after the rash appears will prevent very few cases

Hand, foot and mouth disease

None

Usually a mild disease not justifying time off school

Impetigo

48 hours after treatment starts and/or until lesions are crusted or healed

Antibiotic treatment by mouth may speed healing. If lesions can reliably be kept covered exclusion may be shortened

Measles

Five days from onset of rash

Measles is now    rare in the UK

Molluscum contagiosum

None

A mild condition

Ringworm (Tinea)

None

Proper treatment by the GP is important.  Scalp ringworm needs treatment with an antifungal by mouth

Roseolla

None

A mild illness,    usually caught from well persons

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

24 hours AFTER first taking GP prescription medication

Treatment    recommended for the affected

Slapped cheek or Fifth disease (Parvovirus)

None

Exclusion is Ineffective as nearly all transmission takes place before the child becomes unwell.

Warts and verrucae

None

Affected children    may go swimming but verrucae should be covered

Diarrhoea and/or vomiting (with or without a specified diagnosis)

Until diarrhoea and vomiting has settled (neither for the previous 48 hours).  Please check with the school before sending your child back.

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 FURTHER ADVICE from the CCDC

Giardiasis

Until diarrhoea has settled for the previous 24 hours)

There is a    specific antibiotic treatment

Salmonella

Until diarrhoea and vomiting has settled (neither for the previous 24 hours)

If the child is under five years or has difficulty in personal hygiene, seek advice from the Consultant in Communicable Disease Control.

Shigella (Bacillary dysentery)

Until diarrhoea has settled (for the previous 24 hours)

If the child is under five years or had difficulty in personal hygiene, seek advice from the Consultant in Communicable Disease Control.

Flu (Influenza)

None

Flu is most infectious just before and at the onset of symptoms

Tuberculosis

CCDC will advise

Generally requires quite prolonged, close contact for spread on action.  Not usually spread from children.

Whooping cough (Pertussis)

Five days from commencing antibiotic treatment

Treatment (usually with erythromycin) is recommended  though non-infectious coughing may still continue for many weeks

Conjunctivitis

None

If an outbreak    occurs consult Consultant in Communicable Disease Control

Glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis)

None

Head lice (nits)

None

Treatment is    recommended only in cases where live lice have definitely been seen

Hepatitis A

See comments

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  five days from the onset of jaundice or stools going pale for the under fives  or where hygiene is poor

Meningococcal    meningitis/septicaemia

The CCDC will give specific advice on any action needed

There is no    reason to exclude from schools siblings and other close contacts of a case

Meningitis not    due to Meningococcalinfection

None

Once the child is well infection risk is minimal

Mumps

Five 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

Threadworms

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

HIV/AIDS

HIV is not infectious through casual contact.  There have been no recorded cases of spread within a school or nursery.

Hepatitis B and C

Although more infectious than HIV, hepatitis B and C have only rarely spread within a school setting.  Universal precautions will minimise possible danger or spread of both hepatitis B and C.