Download Infectious-Disease-Exclusion-Periods

Infectious Disease Exclusion Periods
Parents are asked to adhere strictly to the following instructions. These have been prepared following
advice sent out by other schools and with reference to Lothian Health Board’s Health Protection
Team.
Children should also be kept at home if they are not fully fit.
Disease/Illness
Exclusion period
Chickenpox
Until vesicles become dry (approx. 7 days) but a minimum of 5 days from onset of
rash.
Cold Sores
Until secondary infection, if present, is treated.
Conjunctivitis
If unwell and a serious infection stay off until eye no longer inflamed and infected.
Note that medication must be continued for 48 hours after symptoms have resolved
Diarrhoea
Until clinically recovered and diarrhoea has ceased for 48 hours. (If cause known
refer to disease).
Fifth Disease
(Slapped Cheek)
Until clinically recovered but pregnant women, immunocompromised and those with
haemolytic anaemia should avoid contact with known cases
Food Poisoning
Until clinically recovered and vomiting and diarrhoea ceased for 48 hours. (If cause
known refer to disease).
Glandular Fever
Until clinically recovered.
Hand, Foot & Mouth
While acute lesions are present and until blisters have healed.
Impetigo
Until lesions are crusted or healed or 48 hours after commencing appropriate
antibiotics.
Lice
Until effective treatment has been administered according to current guidelines
Measles
4 days from onset of rash
Meningoccal
Infection
Molluscum
Until clinically recovered.
Mumps
Until clinically recovered but no less than 5 days from the onset of symptoms.
Rubella
Until clinically recovered but at least 4 days from onset of rash.
Scabies
Until treated – children can return once adequate treatment is instituted
Scarlet fever
Until clinically recovered and 24 hours after the start of a course of antibiotic
treatment.
Shingles
None if lesions can be covered and not weeping. Otherwise for 7 days after onset of
lesions.
Tonsillitis
Until pain free for a minimum of 48 hours
Vomiting
Until clinically recovered and symptoms have ceased for 48 hours.
Rev. January 2016
None but lesions should be covered if possible.