The following chart will help you know if your child should stay home when they are ill.
Illness | Exclusion |
Chicken Pox (Varicella virus) |
No exclusion required if well enough to participate in regular activities and does not have a fever. Non-immune pregnant women should contact their physician. |
Diarrhea or vomiting | Exclude until 48 hours symptom free. |
Fifth Disease (Parvovirus B19) | No exclusion required if well enough to participate in regular activities. Pregnant women who are not immune should contact their physician. |
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (Coxsackie virus) | No exclusion required if well enough to participate in regular activities. |
Impetigo (Staphylococcus or Streptococcus) | 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 use of fever-reducing medications. |
Measles | Exclude for four days after onset of rash. |
Meningitis - Bacterial or Viral | Exclude according to advice from KFL&A Public Health. |
Meningococcal Disease (Neisseria meningitidis) | Exclude according to advice from KFL&A Public Health. |
Mumps | Exclude until five days after onset of swollen glands. |
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) | Exclude until 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis. |
Rubella (German measles) | Exclude for seven days after onset of rash; pregnant women should contact their physician. |
RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) | No exclusion required if well enough to participate in regular activities. |
Strep Throat or Scarlet Fever (Group A streptococcus) | Exclude until 24 hours after start of antibiotics, if untreated, exclude for 21 days. |
Whooping cough (Bordetella pertussis) | Exclude until 5 days of antibiotic treatment has been completed; if untreated exclude for 21 days. Infants less than 1 year, pregnant women in the third trimester, and their families who have had exposure may receive antibiotics for prevention. |
This is intended as a general guide. Consult a health care provider for diagnosis and recommendations for individual cases. For more information visit Caring for Kids.
Help your child prevent the spread of illness by following these suggestions:
Contact us for questions regarding childhood illnesses.