Infections

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