Infections and infectious diseases

Microscopic viruses and bacteria

Infections happen when tiny organisms such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, or fungi enter our body. Bacteria are found almost everywhere in our surroundings, but only 50 types can infect humans out of billions.

Look up specific diseases and conditions.

View tips on staying healthy and reducing your risk of catching and spreading infections.

Sick child in bed with adult hand on their forehead

When your child should stay home
Illness	Exclusion (instructions on when to stay home)
Chickenpox	No exclusion required if well enough to participate in regular activities and does not have a fever. Pregnant women who are not immune should contact their healthcare provider.
Diarrhea or vomiting	Exclude until 48 hours symptom free.
Fifth disease	No exclusion required if well enough to participate in regular activities. Pregnant women who are not immune should contact their healthcare provider.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease	No exclusion required if well enough to participate in regular activities.
Impetigo	Exclude until 24 hours after antibiotic treatment begins or until blisters are healed.
Influenza	Exclude until well enough to participate and free of fever for 24 hours without using medication to reduce fever.
Measles	Exclude for four days after the start of rash.
Meningitis - bacterial or viral	Exclude according to the advice from KFL&A Public Health.
Meningococcal disease	Exclude according to the advice from KFL&A Public Health.
Mumps	Exclude for five days after the start of swollen glands.
Pink eye (conjunctivitis)	Exclude for 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis.
Rubella (German measles)	Exclude for seven days after the start of rash. Pregnant women should contact their healthcare provider.
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)	No exclusion required if well enough to participate in regular activities.
Strep throat or scarlet fever	Exclude for 24 hours after the start of antibiotics. If no antibiotics, exclude for 21 days.
Whooping cough (pertussis)	Exclude for five days after starting antibiotics. If no antibiotics, exclude for 21 days from the start of cough.

This is intended as a general guide. Consult a health care provider for diagnosis and recommendations for your child.

Help your child prevent the spread of illness

Keep children home when they are ill.
Supervise children when cleaning their hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer. Make sure children always clean their hands after:

Using the toilet.
Touching pets.
Playing outdoors.
Coming home from school, daycare, or activities.
Coughing, sneezing, blowing, or wiping their nose.

Increase the cleaning of shared surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, and bathroom taps when someone in the house is ill.
Ensure that your child’s vaccinations are up to date. Follow the vaccine schedule as closely as possible. Please notify KFL&A Public Health when your child receives an immunization to keep our copy of their record current.

Infections and infectious diseases

When your child should stay home

Help your child prevent the spread of illness