Code No. 507.3E1 Communicable Disease Chart

Communicable Disease Chart

CONCISE DESCRIPTIONS AND RECOMMENDATION FOR EXCLUSION OF CASES FROM SCHOOL

Disease

*Immunization is

Available

Usual Interval Between Exposure and First Symptoms

Of Disease

MAIN SYMPTOMS

Minimum Exclusion From School

CHICKENPOX

13 – 17 DAYS

Mild symptoms and fever. Pocks are “blistery.” Develop Scabs, most on covered parts of body.

7 days from onset of pocks or until pocks become dry

CONJUNCTIVITIS

(PINK EYE)

 

24 – 72 HOURS

Tearing, redness and puffy lids, eye discharge.

Until treatment begins or physician approves readmission.

COVID-19

5-6 days, but can be asymptomatic and contagious for up to 14 days

Typical symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Atypical symptoms include chills, malaise, sore throat, increased confusion, rhinorrhea or nasal congestion, myalgia, dizziness, headache, nausea, and diarrhea

14 days following exposure or and at least 3 days (72 hours) after recovery.

ERYTHEMIA

INFECTIOSUM

(5TH DISEASE)

 

4 – 20 DAYS

Usual age 5 to 14-unusual in adults. Brief prodrome of low-grade fever followed by Erythemia (slapped check) appearance on cheeks, lace-like rash on extremities lasting a few days to 3 weeks.  Rash seems to recur.

After diagnosis no exclusion from school.

GERMAN MEASLES

(RUBELLA)*

14-23 DAYS

Usually mild.  Enlarged glands in neck and behind ears.  Brief red rash.

7 days from onset of rash.  Keep away from pregnant women.

HAEMOPHILUS

MENINGITIS

2-4 DAYS

Fever, vomiting, lethargy, stiff neck and back.

Until physician permits return.

HEPATITIS A

 

VARIABLE

15-50

(average 28-30days)

Abdominal pain, nausea, usually fever.  Skin and eyes may or may not turn yellow.

14 days from onset of clinical disease and at least 7 days from onset of jaundice.

IMPETIGO

1-3 DAYS

Inflamed sores, with puss.

48 hours after antibiotic therapy started or until physician permits return.

MEASLES*

10 DAYS TO FEVER

14 DAYS TO RASH

Begins with fever, conjunctivitis, runny nose, cough, then blotchy red rash.

4 days form onset of rash.

MENNINGOCOCCAL

MENINGITIS

2-10 DAYS

Headache, nausea, stiff neck, fever.

Until physician permits return.

MUMPS*

12-25 DAYS

Fever, swelling and tenderness of glands at angle of jaw.

9 days after onset of swollen glands or until swelling disappears.

PEDICULOSIS

(HEAD/BODY LICE)

7 DAYS FOR EGGS TO HATCH

Lice and nits (eggs) in hair.

24 hours after adequate treatment to kill lice and nits.

RINGWORM OF SCALP

10-14 DAYS

Scaly patch, usually ring shaped, on scalp.

No exclusion from school. Exclude from gymnasium, swimming pools, contact sports.

SCABIES

2-6 WEEKS INITIAL EXPOSURE; 1-4 DAYS REEXPOSURE

Tinny burrows in skin caused by mites.

Until 24 hours after treatment.

SCARLET FEVER

SCARLATINA

STREP THROAT

1-3 DAYS

Sudden onset, vomiting, sore throat, fever, later fine rash (not on face).  Rash usually with first infection.

24 hours after antibiotics started and no fever

WHOOPING COUGH*

(PERTUSSIS)

7-10 DAYS

Head Cold, slight fever, cough, characteristic whoop after 2 weeks

5 days after start of antibiotic treatment

Readmission to School-It is advisable that school authorities require written permission from the health officer, school physician or attending physician before any pupil is readmitted to class following any disease which requires exclusion, no mere absence, from school.

Revised/Reviewed: April 22, 2024