IS MY CHILD WELL ENOUGH FOR SCHOOL?
ILLNESS/DISEASE
SYMPTOMS/
SIGNS INCUBATION
PERIOD 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 cough-
ing. Readily communicable. One at-
tack usually confers immunity. DO
NOT give aspirin as there is a risk of
Reye Syndrome. Children on immuno-
suppressive drugs are at high risk.
Cold Sores
(Herpes Simplex) Cold sores (fever blisters) ap-
pear 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.
Common Cold
Respiratory Infections
(viral) Runny nose, sneezing,
chills, tiredness, fever,
muscle aches, sore throat,
cough, which may last 2-7
days. 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. 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.
Fifth Disease 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. 4-20 days No exclusion necessary
unless fever is present. Human Parovirus B19
spread through contact with
infected respiratory secre-
tions; good hand washing
decreases transmission.
Influenza Sudden onset of fever,
headache, muscle pain,
generalized discomfort,
cough and sore throat. 1-3 days Exclude from school until temper-
ature has been normal for 24
hours and child is well enough to
participate in normal activities. Virus spreads directly
through coughing, sneezing,
and contact with nose or
throat discharges of patient.
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 con-
tact with persons or articles
freshly soiled with discharges
from nose or throat of patient;
airborne transmission also oc-
curs. Usually caused by staphy-
lococcus 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.
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 trans-
mitted through combs, brushes,
bedding, wearing apparel, head-
wear including hair ornaments,
helmets, and sleeping bags.
12
SCHOOL ACTION AND
COMMENTS
ON COMMUNICABILITY
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SOURCE OF INFECTION
AND MODE OF
TRANSMISSION
2019-20 School Handbook