How long should my child stay at home?

Infection

Exclusion period

Comments

Athlete’s foot

None

Children should not be barefoot at school (for example in changing areas) and should not share towels, socks or shoes with others.

Chickenpox

At least 5 days from onset of rash and until all blisters have crusted over

Pregnant staff contacts should consult with their GP or midwife

Cold sores (herpes simplex)

None

Avoid kissing and contact with the sores

Conjunctivitis

None

If an outbreak or cluster occurs, consult your local health protection team (HPT)

Respiratory infections including coronavirus (COVID-19)

Children and young people should not attend if they have a high temperature 

Children with mild symptoms such as runny nose, and headache who are otherwise well can continue to attend school.

Diarrhoea and vomiting

Staff and students can return 48 hours after diarrhoea and vomiting have stopped

If a particular cause of the diarrhoea and vomiting is identified there may be additional exclusion advice for example E. coli STEC and hep A

Diptheria*

Exclusion is essential.
Always consult with your UKHSA HPT

Preventable by vaccination. Family contacts must be excluded until cleared to return by your local HPT

Flu (influenza) or influenza like illness

Until recovered

Report outbreaks to your local HPT

Glandular fever

None

Hand foot and mouth

None

Contact your local HPT if a large number of children are affected. Exclusion may be considered in some circumstances

Head lice

None

Hepititis A

Exclude until 7 days after onset of jaundice (or 7 days after symptom onset if no jaundice)

In an outbreak of Hepatitis A, your local HPT will advise on control measures

Hepatitis B, C, HIV

None

Hepatitis B and C and HIV are blood borne viruses that are not infectious through casual contact. Contact your UKHSA HPT for more advice

Impetigo

Until lesions are crusted or healed, or 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment

Antibiotic treatment speeds healing and reduces the infectious period

Measles

4 days from onset of rash and well enough

Preventable by vaccination with 2 doses of MMR
Promote MMR for all pupils and staff. Pregnant staff contacts should seek prompt advice from their GP or midwife

Meningococcal meningitis* or septicaemia*

Until recovered

Meningitis ACWY and B are preventable by vaccination. Your local HPT will advise on any action needed

Meningitis* due to other bacteria

Until recovered

Hib and pneumococcal meningitis are preventable by vaccination. Your UKHSA HPT will advise on any action needed

Meningitis viral

None

Milder illness than bacterial meningitis. Siblings and other close contacts of a case need not be excluded

MRSA

None

Good hygiene, in particular handwashing and environmental cleaning, are important to minimise spread.
Contact your UKHSA HPT for more

Mumps*

5 days after onset of swelling

Preventable by vaccination with 2 doses of MMR. Promote MMR for all pupils and staff

Ringworm

Not usually required

Treatment is needed

Rubella* (German measles)

5 days from onset of rash

Preventable by vaccination with 2 doses of MMR.
Promote MMR for all pupils and staff. Pregnant staff contacts should seek prompt advice from their GP or midwife

Scabies

Can return after first treatment

Household and close contacts require treatment at the same time

Scarlet fever*

Exclude until 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment

A person is infectious for 2 to 3 weeks if antibiotics are not administered. In the event of 2 or more suspected cases, please contact your UKHSA HPT

Slapped cheek/Fifth disease/Parvovirus B19

None (once rash has developed)

Pregnant contacts of case should consult with their GP or midwife

Threadworms

None

Treatment recommended for child and household

Tonsillitis

None

There are many causes, but most cases are due to viruses and do not need or respond to an antibiotic treatment

Tuberculosis* (TB)

Until at least 2 weeks after the start of effective antibiotic treatment (if pulmonary TB
Exclusion not required for non-pulmonary or latent TB infection
Always consult your local HPT before disseminating information to staff, parents and carers

Only pulmonary (lung) TB is infectious to others, needs close, prolonged contact to spread
Your local HPT will organise any contact tracing

Warts and verrucae

None

Verrucae should be covered in swimming pools, gyms and changing rooms

Whooping cough (pertussis)*

2 days from starting antibiotic treatment, or 21 days from onset of symptoms if no antibiotics

Preventable by vaccination. After treatment, non- infectious coughing may continue for many weeks. Your local HPT will organise any contact tracing