Chicken Pox |
Fever and skin rash that comes in crops . Rash begins on the chest , back , under arms , neck , and face ; changes to blisters and then scabs . |
Usually 13-17 days ; can be as long as 3 weeks |
Exclude from school until blisters have dried into scabs , usually about 6 days after the rash appears . |
Virus spread by direct contact with the blister fluid or by droplets - from the nose and throat of an infected person during sneezing and coughing . Readily communicable . One attack usually confers immunity . DO NOT give aspirin as there is a risk of Reye Syndrome . Children on immunosuppressive drugs are at high risk . |
Cold Sores ( Herpes Simplex ) |
Cold sores ( fever blisters ) appear on the lips and face , less often in the mouth . Sores usually crust and heal within a few days . May be confused with impetigo . |
2-12 days No exclusion necessary for mild oral herpes in children who are in control of their mouth secretions . |
Virus is transmitted by direct contact with infected persons , a majority of whom have no apparent infections . |
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Common Cold Respiratory Infections ( viral ) Covid-19 ( Sars-CoV-2 )
Fifth Disease
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Runny nose , sneezing , chills , tiredness , fever , muscle aches , sore throat , cough , which may last 2-7 days .
Rarely any symptoms other than a rash (“ slapped cheek ”) that begins on cheeks ; later found on the backs of arms and legs . Rash is very fine , lacy , pink , and tends to come and go in sunlight or heat .
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Colds : 1-3 days Other acute respiratory illness : up to 10 days
Exclude from school until child is without fever for 24 hours and is well enough to participate in normal , daily activities . Covid-19 : Exclude for 10 days from positive test or onset of symptoms .
4-20 days No exclusion necessary unless fever is present .
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Different viruses spread directly through coughing , sneezing , and explosive manner of speech in which droplets are cast ; indirectly through articles freshly soiled by discharges of infected person .
Human Parovirus B19 spread through contact with infected respiratory secretions ; good hand washing decreases transmission .
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Impetigo |
Blister-like sores that form an oozing , sticky , yellow crust and itching . |
Usually 1-10 days |
Exclude from school until child has been treated with antibiotics for at least a full 24 hours . Encourage good hand washing . Avoid close contact with other children . |
Bacteria spreads by direct contact with persons or articles freshly soiled with discharges from nose or throat of patient ; airborne transmission also occurs . Usually caused by staphylococcus or streptococcus . |
Infectious Mononucleosis |
Fever , sore throat , tiredness , and swollen glands , especially behind the neck . Sometimes there is a rash . Often children have no symptoms at all . |
4-6 weeks Exclude from school until the child is well enough to return to normal activities . |
Epstein-Barr virus spreads person to person through saliva ; spread can also occur by kissing or sharing items such as drinking cups , bottles or toys . |
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Lice ( head ) |
Itching of the scalp . Look for : 1 ) crawling lice in the hair , 2 ) eggs ( nits ) glued to the hair near the scalp , and 3 ) scratch marks on scalp or back of neck at hairline . |
Nits ( eggs ) hatch in 6-10 days |
Exclude from school at the end of the school day until first treatment is completed . |
Louse transmitted primarily by direct contact with infested persons . Lice can also be transmitted through combs , brushes , bedding , wearing apparel , headwear including hair ornaments , helmets , and sleeping bags . |