CHILDREN

Child Infections - Common Questions?

Is your Child infectious?

Periods of infectivity for some   common infections are :
 

• mumps: 3 days before salivary gland swelling to 7 days after
• chicken pox : a few days before the onset of rash devlops and not more than six days after the first lesions appear.
• measles : from the start of fever/flu-like symptoms to 4 days after the onset of the rash.
• rubella : one week before onset of rash until 4 day s after.
• whooping cough: one week after exposure until 3 weeks onset of symptoms (but only 7 days in antibiotics given)
• scarlet fever: 10-21days after the onset of rash (but only one day if penicillin given)
• slapped cheek disease : up to 14 days before onset of rash. No longer infectious once the rash has appeared.

Does you child need to stay off school?

Exclusion for five days

• from rash onset - chickenpox, german measles(rubella) ,measles
• from starting antibiotics - whooping cough( pertussis),scarlet fever
• from onset of swollen glands - mumps

Exclusion until condition has settled for 24 hours

•  giardiasis; salmonella; shingella

Exclusion until lesions crusted or healed

• impetigo

Exclusion from school until treated

•  scabies

Conditions where there is no recommended period to be kept  - (Once the child is well)   

• influenza; cold sores; molluscam contagiosum; ringworm; han foot and mouth disease; roseola;slapped cheek disease; warts and verrucae; conjuctivitis; glandular fever; heald lice ; meningitis ; thread worm ; tonsillitis