COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CHART

Disease Incubation
Period*
Early Signs of Illness Exclude from
Attendance
When is child most
contagious?
Notes
Athletes Foot Unknown Blisters and cracking of
skin on feet, usually
between toes.
No N/A Teach importance of hygienic
care of feet.
Chickenpox 10-21 Days Slight fever, rash,
consisting of blisters that
appear first on head, then
spread to the body.
Until all lesions
have crusted
(usually 7-8 days)
From 2 days before
rash, until all lesions
are dry and crusted.
No aspirin products should be
used during this time. Vaccine
is available.
Common Cold and Flu 1-3 days Runny nose, watery eyes,
tired. Usually no fever
unless infection develops.
Until no fever. Variable from day
before symptoms, until
symptoms resolve.
Teach importance of hand
washing and covering mouth
when coughing or sneezing.
Fifths Disease
(erythemia Infectiousum
Parvovirus B 19)
4-20 days Redness of cheeks (slapped
face appearance), lacy like
rash on trunk and
extremities which fades but
may recur on exposure to
heat or sunlight.
During acute illnessDuring week before
rash develops.
Contagious period is greatest
before onset of rash and
probably not communicable
after onset of rash. Refer
exposed pregnant women to
physician.
Hand Foot and Mouth Disease
(Coxsackie virus)
3-5 days Fever malaise, sore mouth
or throat, or not eating well.
Papulovesicular lesion in
mouth, on palms, fingers
and sores on feet
During the acute
illness. If child has
lesions not
accompanied with
symptoms of acute
illness, there are no
restrictions
Maybe contagious for
several weeks after
infection.
During acute stage of illness,
virus may remain in the stool
commonly for 2-3 weeks.
Disease Incubation
Period*
Early Signs of Illness Exclude from
Attendance
When is child most
contagious?
Notes
Head lice (Pediculosis) Eggs hatch in
7-10 days
Itching & scratching of
scalp. Pinpoint white eggs
on hair that will not flick
off.
Until shampoo or
lotion treatment
given with effective
pedicullcide and all
nits have been
removed. Excused
absence for no
more that 3 days.
When they are live
insects on the head.
Second shampoos or lotion
treatment in 7-10 days is
recommended. Teach
importance of not sharing
combs, hats and coats.
Hepatitis A Viral 15-50 days
usually 28
days
Gradual onset slight fever,
tired, stomach ache, nausea
or vomiting followed by
jaundice
For one week after
onset of jaundice or
until OK by MD.
From 2 weeks before
the illness until 1 week
after jaundice (yellow
skin) has begun.
Teach importance of hand
washing. Gamma globulin
should be given to family
contacts.
Impetigo
(Staphylococcus or
streptococcus) skin infection.
1-10 days Blisters on skin that open
and become covered with
yellowish crust. No fever.
Until treatment
begins.
Until active lesions are
gone, or after 24 hours
on antibiotics.
Maybe in school if lesions are
covered. Uncover when out of
school Teach importance of
hand washing and keeping
fingernails clean.
Infectious Mono
(Epstein-Barr virus)
30-50 days
Or 4-7 weeks
Fever, sore throat, swollen
lymph glandscan be mild
or severe.
Until fever
subsided
Probably several days
before the illness, until
the fever has stopped.
Respiratory tract viral excretion
can occur for many months
after infection, and
asymptomatic carriage is usual.
Disease Incubation
Period*
Early Signs of Illness Exclude from
Attendance
When is child most
contagious?
Notes
Meningitis
(Bacterial)
1-10 days Sudden onset of high fever,
headache and stiff neck.
4 days after
appearance of rash.
Unknown, probably
from several days
before symptoms, until
at least 24 hours of
antibiotic treatment.
Depending on which bacteria is
causing the illness,
prophylactic antibiotic may be
recommended for family
members.
Vaccine available.
Meningitis
(Viral)
2-10 days Sudden onset of fever and
headache, usually with
some vomiting
Until released by
physician.
The day before the
illness, until fever has
resolved.
Teach importance of hand
washing. Prophylactic
antibiotics are of no use since it
is viral.
Mumps 12-26 days Swelling over jaw in front
of one or both ears. Pain in
ears. Pain in cheeks made
worse by chewing.
For 9 days from
onset of swelling;
less if swelling has
subsided.
Peak infectious time
begins 2 days before
swelling, but may range
from 7 days before 9
days after.
Vaccine required.
Pink Eye
(conjunctivitis)
(may be viral, bacterial or
allergic)
1-3 days Red eyes with some
discharge or crust on
eyelids.
Until treated. Variable allergic
conjunctivitis is not
contagious.
Teach importance of hand
washing.
Ringworm
(tinea capitis, corporis pedis)
Fungal infection of scalp, body
or feet.
4-10 days Flat, slowly spreading,
scaly ting-shaped spots on
skin. Margins may be
reddish and raised.
Until treatment
begins.
From onset of lesions
until treatment begins.
Teach importance of hand
washing.
Disease Incubation
Period*
Early Signs of Illness Exclude from
Attendance
When is child most
contagious?
Notes
Salmonellosis
(Acute gastroenteritis)
(Food Poisoning)
1-3 days Sudden onset of fever,
abdominal pain, sometimes
vomiting.
Until released by
Health Department
or physician.
Variable throughout the
illness.
Teach importance of hand
washing. Frequently a food-
borne infection. Inspection of
home and restaurant by Health
Dept.
Scabies
(Mites which burrow under
skin, causing severe itching).
First infection
1 month.
Repeat
infection 2-5
days.
Small raised red bumps or
blisters on skin with severe
itching.
Waist band itch at night.
Until treatment
begins.
From up to 8 weeks
before skin rash
appears until it has
been treated.
Spread by skin contact with
infested individuals; contact
with bedding or clothes.
Scarlet fever/
Strep throat
Group A streptococcus.
Scarlet fever is a strep throat
infection with a rash.
1-3 days Fever, sore throat often
with enlarged, tender lymph
nodes in neck. Scarlet fever
producing strains of
bacteria causes fine rash
that appears 1-3 days after
onset of sore throat.
24-48 hours after
treatment has
begun. 10-21 days
if untreated.
From onset of
symptoms until 24
hours after treatment
begins.
Teach importance of hand
washing when coughing or
sneezing.
Gastroenteritis
(E.Coli,Salmonella,Shigella,
Campylobacter) usually have
vomiting/diarrhea
6 hours to 7
days.
Sudden onset of fever,
vomiting and diarrhea.
Until released by
Health department
or physician.
When diarrhea is
present.
Teach importance of hand
washing.
Tuberculosis 4-12 weeks Gradual onset of tiredness,
loss of appetite, slight
fever, failure to gain
weight. cough
Until released by
Health Department
or physician.
Children under 12
years of age are not
contagious.
All close contact should have
TB skin tests. Antibiotic
prophylaxis.
Disease Incubation
Period*
Early Signs of Illness Exclude from
Attendance
When is child most
contagious?
Notes
Whooping cough (pertusissis)
10-16 days
Low-grade fever, runny
nose & cough lasting about
2 weeks, followed by onset
of paroxysmal coughing
spells and whoop on
inspiration.
Until 7 days after
therapy started
Most infectious before
cough onset (with onset
of runny nose),
continuing until child is
on antibiotics for 5
days is infectious for 3
weeks after cough
begins, if not treated.
Vaccine available. Antibiotics
prophylaxis of family contact is
usually recommended.
*(Incubation period is the time from the moment of exposure to an infectious agent until signs and symptoms of disease appear.)
ADOPTED FROM CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CODE OF REGULATIONS
Jane Miner District Nurse