The below information has been taken from the Public Health ‘Guidance on Infection Control in Schools’ document.
| Diarrhoea and vomiting illness | Recommended period to be kept away from school | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhoea and/or vomiting | 48 hours from last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting | Even if you suspect it is food poisoning, please keep your child off from school for 48 hours. |
|
E. coli O157 VTEC
Typhoid [and paratyphoid] (enteric fever)
Shigella (dysentery) |
Should be excluded for 48 hours from the last episode of diarrhoea
Further exclusion may be required for some children until they are no longer excreting |
Further exclusion is required for young children under five and those who have difficulty in adhering to hygiene practices. Children in these categories should be excluded until there is evidence of microbiological clearance. This guidance may also apply to some contacts of cases who may require microbiological clearance. Please inform the school so we can check with the Public Health Team. |
| Cryptosporidiosis | Exclude for 48 hours from the last episode of diarrhoea | Exclusion from swimming is advisable for two weeks after the diarrhoea has settled. |
| Rashes and skin infections | Recommended period to be kept away from school | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Athlete’s foot | None | Athlete’s foot is not a serious condition. Treatment is recommended though. |
| Chickenpox | Until all vesicles have crusted over | Please inform the school so we can make pregnant staff members aware and other parents. |
| Cold sores, (Herpes simplex) | None | Avoid kissing and contact with the sores. Cold sores are generally mild and self-limiting. |
| German measles (rubella) | Four days from onset of rash (as per “Green Book”) | Preventable by immunisation (MMR x 2 doses). Please inform the school so we can make pregnant staff members aware and other parents. |
| Hand, foot and mouth | None | Please inform the school so we can monitor the amount of cases and let Public Health know. |
| Impetigo | Until lesions are crusted and healed, or 48 hours after commencing antibiotic treatment | Antibiotic treatment speeds healing and reduces the infectious period. |
| Measles | Four days from onset of rash Preventable by vaccination (MMR x 2). | Please inform the school so we can make pregnant staff members aware and other parents. |
| Molluscum contagiosum | None | A self-limiting condition. |
| Ringworm | Exclusion not usually required | Treatment is required. |
| Roseola (infantum) | None | None |
| Scabies | Child can return after first treatment | Household and close contacts require treatment. |
| Scarlet fever | Child can return 24 hours after commencing appropriate antibiotic treatment | Antibiotic treatment recommended for the affected child. Please inform the school so we can monitor the amount of cases and let Public Health know. |
| Slapped cheek (fifth disease or parvovirus B19) | None once rash has developed | Please inform the school so we can make pregnant staff members aware and other parents. |
| Shingles | Exclude only if rash is weeping and cannot be covered | Can cause chickenpox in those who are not immune i.e. have not had chickenpox. It is spread by very close contact and touch. Please inform the school so we can make pregnant staff members aware and other parents. |
| Warts and verrucae | None | Verrucae should be covered in swimming pools, gymnasiums and changing room. |
| Respiratory infections | Recommended period to be kept away from school | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Flu (influenza) | Until recovered | None |
| Tuberculosis | Inform the school as soon as possible so we can consult with the Public Health Team | Requires prolonged close contact for spread. |
| Whooping cough (pertussis) | 48 hours from commencing antibiotic treatment, or 21 days from onset of illness if no antibiotic treatment | Preventable by vaccination. After treatment, non-infectious coughing may continue for many weeks. Contact the school so we can inform the Public Health Team and they will organise any contact tracing necessary. |
| Other infections | Recommended period to be kept away from school | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Conjunctivitis | None | Please inform the school so we can monitor the amount of cases and let Public Health know. |
| Diphtheria | Exclusion is essential. Always inform the school so we can consult with Public Health | Family contacts must be excluded until cleared to return by the Public Health Team. Preventable by vaccination. The Public Health Team will organise any contact tracing necessary. |
| Glandular fever | None | None |
| Head lice | None | Treatment is recommended only in cases where live lice have been seen. |
| Hepatitis A | Exclude until seven days after onset of jaundice (or seven days after symptom onset if no jaundice) | Please inform the school. The Public Health Team will advise on any vaccination or other control measure that are needed for close contacts of a single case of hepatitis A and for suspected outbreaks. |
| Hepatitis B, C, HIV/AIDS | None | Hepatitis B and C and HIV are bloodborne viruses that are not infectious through casual contact. Please inform the school. |
| meningitis/ septicaemia | Until recovered | Some forms of meningococcal disease are preventable by vaccination. There is no reason to exclude siblings or other close contacts of a case. In case of an outbreak, it may be necessary to provide antibiotics with or without meningococcal vaccination to close contacts. Please inform the school so the Public Health Team can advise on any action needed. |
| Meningitis due to other bacteria | Until recovered | Hib and pneumococcal meningitis are preventable by vaccination. There is no reason to exclude siblings or other close contacts of a case. Please inform the school so the Public Health Team can advise on any action needed. |
| Meningitis viral | None | Milder illness. There is no reason to exclude siblings and other close contacts of a case. Contact tracing is not required. |
| MRSA | None | Good hygiene, in particular handwashing and environmental cleaning, are important to minimise any danger of spread. |
| Mumps | Exclude child for five days after onset of swelling | Preventable by vaccination (MMR x 2 doses). |
| Threadworms | None | Treatment is recommended for the child and household contacts. |
| Tonsillitis | None | There are many causes, but most cases are due to viruses and do not need an antibiotics. |