Childhood Illnesses & Infections
EYCS / HPA 2012
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 *Female staff see below |
|
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 days |
2 – 4 days before until 21 days after start of coughing |
5 days from commencing antibiotic treatment |