Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites. These communicable diseases
can be spread from one individual to another.
Disease Symptoms Time from School Action and Source of Infection and
Exposure to Comments on How it spreads
Illness Communicability
Chickenpox Fever, general 2-3 weeks Exclude from Virus spread by direct
feeling of illness, school until blisters are contact. 
rash resembling dry and crusted.
water blister It is also
appearing after 3 contagious 5 days before
to 4 days. Scabs blisters appear.
appear later. DO NOT give
Aspirin.
Cold Sores Watery blisters 2 to 14 days May attend Virus spread by direct contact
(Herpes usually on lips but school with infected persons.
Simplex) may occur Will usually heal
anywhere on skin within 2 weeks.
or mouth. May be
confused with
Impetigo.
Common Cold Symptoms include 12 hrs to 3 Recommend that Virus spread directly through
watery eyes, days child remain at home for droplets from coughing.
sneezing, running first 1 to 2 days of cold sneezing or speaking;
nose, general or longer if symptoms indirectly through articles
feeling of illness. are severe. freshly soiled by discharges
Communicable of infected person.
for 24 hours before and
for 5 days after nasal
discharge.
DO NOT give
aspirin.
The Flu Chills, body ache, 24 to 72 hrs Exclude from Virus spread directly through
(Influenza) headache, fever, school until child feels coughing, sneezing and
sore throat, well, usual 2 to 7 days. contact with nose or throat
followed by DO NOT give discharges. May be spread
cough, runny nose aspirin. through the air.
and possibly
stomachache.
Impetigo Blisters or fluid 1 to 6 days Exclude from Bacteria spread by direct
filled sacs covered occasionally school until lesions are contact with persons or with
with honey longer dry or written permission articles freshly soiled with
colored crusts. from physician. discharges from nose or
May be confused Contagious until throat of patient; may also be
with cold sores. sores are healed. spread through the air.
usually caused by Group A
Beta Streptococcus.
Pinworms Itching of anal 3 to 6 weeks May attend Worms are transferred
area. school. Contact doctor directly from other infected
for diagnosis and persons, especially children
treatment. by hand from anus to mouth.
Communicable Good hand washing after
as long as worms are using bathroom is
present in the intestine. IMPORTANT. Indirectly
Exclude from transferred through clothing,
 school until 24 hours bedding, food or other articles
after treatment begins. contaminated with eggs of
  parasite. Pinworms of animals
are NOT transmitted to
humans.
 Lice Infestation of the eggs hatch Exclude until lice Head to head contact.  Use of
(Pediculosis) head hair or other in  1 week and nits are treated with others combs, hates, blankets,
hairy parts of the approved shampoo. pillows, etc.
body or of School to re- examine
clothing with lice student prior to returning
or nits. Nits or to class.  If not clear of
eggs are tiny white nits parent will be called
or brownish rice- to pick child up from
shaped particles school. Retreat with
stuck to hair, close approved shampoo in 7
to scalp. to 10 days.
Considered
communicable until
treated.
Advise exam of
household contacts for
nits and lice.
House must be
thoroughly cleaned.
Notify school.
Pink Eye Redness of 24 to 72 hrs Refer for medical Most are caused by virus;
(Conjunctivitis) conjunctiva (white diagnosis and treatment. some bacterial. May be
of eye). May or Communicability spread through hand-eye
may not have depends on cause. contact.
drainage. Eye Exclude from
irritation. school if pus present
exclude until after
treatment begins.
If no pus present
- no exclusion.
Ringworm Body Ring-shaped or 1 to 3 weeks Exclude from Contact with human or
(Tinea Corporis)irregular skin school 24 hours after animal infected with fungus
patch with raised treatment begins. or its spores, and by contact
pimple-like or Communicable with contaminated articles.
scaly borders. May until clear.
show central
clearing. May
become inflamed
and crusted.
Scabies Raised red skin 1 to 2 Exclude from Mite transferred by direct
possibly blisters or months school 24 hours after contact with an infected
pustules or scabs. treatment begins. person, and to a limited
Intense itching - Communicable extent, undergarments or
most severe at until treated. soiled sheets freshly
night. Common Family should be contaminated by an infected
sites are hands, examined. person.
arms, at or above House should be
wristline, thighs. thoroughly cleaned.