PARENT CARE: INFECTION EXPOSURE QUESTIONS
DEFINITION
- This topic includes information about the transmission of common infections, including how long to stay out of school or daycare
Symptom Definition
- Incubation Period: Time interval between exposure to the infection and onset of symptoms.
- Contagious Period: Time interval during which a sick child's disease is contagious to others. With precautions, children sometimes can return to day care and school before this period is over.
- Infections that are not Contagious: Many common bacterial infections are not contagious (e.g., ear infections, sinus infections, bladder infections, kidney infections, and pneumonia). Sexually transmitted diseases are not contagious to children unless there is sexual contact or shared bathing.
| DISEASE | INCUBATION PERIOD (DAYS) |
CONTAGIOUS PERIOD (DAYS) |
| Skin Infections/Rashes: | ||
| Chickenpox | 10-21 | 2 days before rash until all sores have crusts (6-7 days) |
| Fifth disease (Erythema infectiosum) | 4-14 | 7 days before rash until rash begins |
| Hand, foot, and mouth disease | 3-6 | Onset of mouth ulcers until fever gone |
| Impetigo (strep or staph) | 2-5 | Onset of sores until 24 hours on antibiotic |
| Lice | 7 | Onset of itch until 1 treatment |
| Measles | 8-12 | 4 days before rash until rash gone (7 days) |
| Roseola | 9-10 | Onset of fever until rash gone (2 days) |
| Rubella (German measles) | 14-21 | 7 days before rash until rash gone (4 days) |
| Scabies | 30-45 | Onset of rash until 1 treatment |
| Scarlet fever | 3-6 | Onset of fever or rash until 24 hours on antibiotic |
| Shingles (contagious for chicken pox) | 14-16 | Onset of rash until all sores have crusts (7 days) (Note: No need to isolate if sores can be kept covered.) |
| Warts | 30-180 | Minimally contagious |
| Respiratory Infections: | ||
| Bronchiolitis | 4-6 | Onset of cough until 7 days |
| Colds | 2-5 | Onset of runny nose until fever gone |
| Cold sores (herpes) | 2-12 | Footnote 1 |
| Coughs (viral) or croup (viral) | 2-5 | Onset of cough until fever gone |
| Diphtheria | 2-5 | Onset of sore throat until 4 days on antibiotic |
| Influenza | 1-2 | Onset of cough until fever gone |
| Sore throat, strep | 2-5 | Onset of sore throat until 24 hours on antibiotic |
| Sore throat, viral | 2-5 | Onset of sore throat until fever gone |
| Tuberculosis | 6-24 months | Until 2 weeks on drugs (Note: Most childhood TB is not contagious.) |
| Whooping cough | 7-10 | Onset of runny nose until 5 days on antibiotic |
| Intestinal Infections: | ||
| Diarrhea, bacterial | 1-5 | Footnote 2 for Diarrhea Precautions |
| Diarrhea, giardia | 7-28 | Footnote 2 for Diarrhea Precautions |
| Diarrhea, traveler's | 1-6 | Footnote 2 for Diarrhea Precautions |
| Diarrhea, viral (Rotavirus) | 1-3 | Footnote 2 for Diarrhea Precautions |
| Hepatitis A | 14-50 | 2 weeks before jaundice begins until jaundice resolved (7 days) |
| Hepatitis B | 50-180 | 2 weeks before jaundice begins until jaundice resolved (7 days) |
| Pinworms | 21-28 | Minimally contagious, staying home is unnecessary |
| Vomiting, viral | 2-5 | Until vomiting stops |
| Other Infections: | ||
| Infectious mononucleosis | 30-50 | Onset of fever until fever gone (7 days) |
| Meningitis, bacterial | 2-10 | 7 days before symptoms until 24 hours on IV antibiotics in hospital |
| Mumps | 12-25 | 5 days before swelling until swelling gone (7 days) |
| Pinkeye without pus (viral) | 1-5 | Mild infection, staying home is unnecessary |
| Pinkeye with pus (bacterial) | 2-7 | Onset of pus until 1 day on antibiotic eyedrops |
Notes:
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Cold sores: Less than 6 years old, contagious until cold sores are dry, 4-5 days (no isolation if sores are on part of body that can be covered). More than 6 years old, no isolation necessary if beyond touching, picking stage.
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Diarrhea Precautions: Contagious until stools are formed. Stay home until fever is gone, diarrhea is mild, blood and mucus are gone, and toilet-trained child has control over loose BMs. Shigella and E-coli 0157 require extra precautions. Consult your day care provider regarding attendance restrictions.
REFERENCES
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Committee on Infectious Diseases. Infection Exposure. In Pickering L, ed. 2006 Red Book. 27th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: 2006.
- Donowitz LG. At-a-glance guide to infection control in day care. Contemp Pediatr. 1999;16(11):127-138.
- Foster JA, Chen JS. General principles of disease transmission. Pediatr Ann. 2002;31:293-298.
- Robinson J. Infectious diseases in schools and child care facilities. Pediatr Rev. 2001;22:39-45.
- Skull SA, Ford-Jones EL, Kulin NA, Einarson TR, et al. Child care center staff contribute to physician visits and pressure for antibiotic prescription. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2000;154:180-183.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.