8450 Control of Casual-Contact Communicable Diseases
Diseases spread by airborne and/or direct contact with germs from sneezing, coughing, and speaking.
DISEASE |
SYMPTOMS |
INCUBATION PERIOD |
CONTAGIOUS PERIOD |
RETURN TO SCHOOL |
CHICKENPOX |
General discomfort, slight to high fever, headache, and loss of appetite. Lesions appear in bunches with most on upper body. Face and extremities are less affected. Typical lesions have teardrop shape surrounded by reddened area. Blistered (new) and broken and crusted (old) eruptions are on the skin at the same time. |
10-21 days |
5 days before rash to 6 days after rash first starts. |
When lesions are dry and crusted and no new eruptions. At least 5 days after rash first appears. |
FIFTH DISEASE (Hungarian measles) |
Rash begins as a solid red area on cheeks ("slapped cheek" appearance), spreading to upper arms and legs, trunk, hands and feet. |
4-20 days |
Exact duration unknown. Greatest before rash onset. Probably not communicable after rash onset. |
Fever and signs of illness other than rash are no longer present. |
INFLUENZA |
Fever, headache, muscles aches, sore throat, and cough (25% of school age children may have nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea). |
1-5 days |
Probably 3 to 5 days from onset in adults; up to 7 days in young children. |
Symptoms subside. |
SCARLET FEVER |
Begins with fever and sore throat. Rash appears as a pink-red flush which looks like a sunburn with goose pimples, that spreads to all parts of the body. Afterward, the skin peels off like a sunburn. Often the tongue has a "strawberry" appearance. |
1-3 days |
In untreated, uncomplicated cases, 10-21 days or until under adequate antibiotic treatment for 24-48 hours. |
Adequate treatment for 24-48 hours, and symptoms subside. |
SPINAL MENINGITIS |
Sudden onset of high fever, headache, and stiff neck. In severe cases, delirium stupor or coma can also occur. In meningococcal meningitis small purplish spots are occasionally seen in skin and mucous membranes. |
1-10 days |
Unknown. Probably throughout the duration of symptoms. |
Requires doctor’s note for re-admittance. |
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DISEASE |
SYMPTOMS |
INCUBATION PERIOD |
CONTAGIOUS PERIOD |
RETURN TO SCHOOL |
STREP THROAT |
Similar to scarlet fever but without a rash. A sore throat and fever are the most pronounced symptoms. |
1-3 days |
Weeks or months without medical treatment or with antibiotic treatment 24-48 hours. |
Adequate treatment for 24-48 hours, and symptoms subside. |
ROSEOLA |
Sudden high fever (104° -105° F.) which falls with the appearance of a rash on about the third or fourth day. Rash consists of small rose-pink spots which first appear on the chest and abdomen but may spread to the face, legs, and arms. Rash is usually limited to only one or two days. |
5-15 days |
Unknown. The disease does not appear very contagious. |
Until no symptoms. |
RUBELLA |
Rash begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body within 24 hours and is usually gone by the end of the third day. Often present is a pronounced swelling of the lymph nodes behind the ear and at the base of the skull. Mild coughing, sneezing, and reddened eyes are common early in the course of the illness. |
14-23 days |
7 days before to 4 days after rash onset. |
5 days after rash onset. |
MEASLES |
Begins 3 to 4 days of gradually increasing fever, runny nose, (red) inflamed eyes, and especially coughing. Rash usually begins around ears and hairline, spreading down to cover face, trunk and arms by second day. Rash is initially bright pink with distinct raised spots. Tiny blue-white pinpoint-sized swelling inside the cheeks may be observed a day before the rash first appears. The rash usually last about five days. Sensitivity to light is also common. |
7-18 days |
4 days before rash and for up to 4 days after disappearance of the rash. |
5 days after disappearance of the rash. |
DISEASE |
SYMPTOMS |
INCUBATION PERIOD |
CONTAGIOUS PERIOD |
RETURN TO SCHOOL |
|
MUMPS |
Onset is gradual. There may be chills, discomfort, headache, pain below ears accompanied by a moderate fever of 101o - 102oF, or higher followed by swelling of one or both salivary glands. Swelling is below and in front of ear. Usually swelling in one gland subsides as the other begins to swell. The ear lobe is often pushed forward by the swelling of the gland. Swelling usually lasts 5 to 7 days. |
2 to 3 weeks |
Usually 5 but may be as long as 7 to 9 days prior to the onset of salivary gland swelling. |
9 days after onset and no symptoms. |
|
TUBERCULOSIS |
Starts with fever, night sweats, and weight loss early. Later symptoms include a persistent non-productive cough, chest pain, hoarseness, and coughing of blood. |
2-10 weeks |
Variable. After starting treatment with anti TB drugs, a patient may become non-infectious in as little as two weeks. |
Requires a doctor’s note for re-admittance. |
|
WHOOPING COUGH |
Coughing and sneezing followed 1 to 2 weeks later by breathing characterized by a series of short convulsive-like coughs, and a high pitched gasp of air called a whoop. |
7-14 days |
Untreated-from early throat inflammation to 3 weeks after typical cough symptoms occur. Treated-the period of infectiousness extends 5 days onset of treatment. |
3 weeks from onset of cough symptoms, if untreated or until after 5 days of treatment. |
|
RINGWORM |
Ringworm of the scalp begins as a small pimple which grows and spreads, leaving scaly patches of temporary baldness. Ringworm of the body appears as flat, spreading, ring-shaped lesions. The outside is usually reddish and filled with pus while the skin on the inside tends to return to normal. |
10-14 weeks |
As long as any untreated lesions are present and spores persist on contaminated materials. |
Under medical care. While under treatment, infected children should be excluded from gymnasiums, swimming pools and activities likely to lead to exposure of others. |
|
Diseases spread by contact with tiny parasites on contaminated belongings of others.
DISEASE |
SYMPTOMS |
INCUBATION PERIOD |
CONTAGIOUS PERIOD |
RETURN TO SCHOOL |
PINWORM |
Itching in anal areas, disturbed sleep, irritability and local irritation due to scratching |
2-6 weeks |
As long as eggs are being laid on perianal skin. Eggs remain infective indoors about 2 weeks. |
Under medical care. |
Diseases spread by the fecal-oral route – contamination of food, drink or objects placed in the mouth.
DISEASE |
SYMPTOMS |
INCUBATION PERIOD |
CONTAGIOUS PERIOD |
RETURN TO SCHOOL |
CAMPYLOBACTER |
Sudden onset of fever and abdominal pain and diarrhea which may be severe. May also be vomiting and sometimes blood in the stools. |
1-10 days |
Throughout the illness (1 to 4 days). If not treated, up to 7 weeks. |
Requires doctor’s note for re-admittance. |
GIARDIASIS |
Chronic, intermittent diarrhea, bloating, foul-smelling stools and fatigue and weight loss. Sometimes observable symptoms are not present. |
1 to 4 weeks after exposure |
Entire period of infection. |
Same as above. |
SALMONELLOSIS |
Sudden onset of fever, Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and possibly vomiting. |
6-72 hours |
During acute infection and until organism no longer in feces. Usually several weeks. |
Exclude until symptoms are gone. Exclude from certain activities based on Health Department recommendation. |
SHIGELLOSIS |
Sudden onset of fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain. Loss of appetite and vomiting may also occur. There may be blood, mucous, or pus in the stools. |
1-7 days |
During acute infection and until organism no longer in feces. Usually several weeks. |
Exclude until symptoms are gone. Exclude from certain activities based on Health Department recommendation. |
VIRAL GASTROENTERITIS |
Abrupt onset of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and discomfort. Fever, if present, is usually low grade. Very contagious. |
24-48 hours |
From onset of illness until symptoms subside. |
Same as above. |
DISEASE |
SYMPTOMS |
INCUBATION PERIOD |
CONTAGIOUS PERIOD |
RETURN TO SCHOOL |
Hepatitis A |
Onset is usually abrupt with fever, malaise, anorexia, nausea, and abdominal discomfort, followed within a few days by jaundice. |
15-50 days |
Latter half of incubation period to approximately 1 week after onset of jaundice. |
Same as above. |
Diseases spread by direct skin contact with wounds or discharges from an infected person.
DISEASE |
SYMPTOMS |
INCUBATION PERIOD |
CONTAGIOUS PERIOD |
RETURN TO SCHOOL |
IMPETIGO |
Isolated pus filled spots which become crusted and break releasing a straw-colored fluid. Occurs principally around the mouth and nostrils. |
4-10 weeks |
As long as pus filled lesions continue to drain. |
Under medical care and lesions are healing and no new lesions appear. |
PINKEYE |
Irritation of the eye accompanied by tears, swelling of the lids, extreme sensitivity to light, and a buildup of a sticky fluid that dries to a straw-colored, crusty material accumulating at the corners of the eye. |
Variable, dependent upon infecting agent. |
During the period of active infection. Some children recover in only a few days but many cases take 2 to 3 weeks. |
Under medical care and drainage from eyes has cleared. |
MONOUCLEOSIS, |
Fever, sore throat, and enlarged lymph glands. |
4-6 weeks |
Prolonged; pharyngeal excretions may persist for 1 year or more after infection. |
Under medical care and physician has given permission to return. |
PEDICULOSIS |
Appearance of lice and/or nits in the hair, commonly at nape of neck and/or behind the ears. Nits are fastened to the hair. |
Eggs hatch in 7 days; maturity reached 8-10 days after hatching. |
Until lice and viable eggs are destroyed. |
Treated and nit-free. |
HERPES SIMPLEX |
Superficial clear blisters on a red base which crust and heal within a few days. |
2-12 days |
Secretion of virus in the saliva has been reported for as long as 7 weeks after recovery from infection. |
None recommended. |
Diseases spread by direct skin contact with wounds or discharges from an infected person.
DISEASE |
SYMPTOMS |
INCUBATION PERIOD |
CONTAGIOUS PERIOD |
RETURN TO SCHOOL |
SCABIES |
Rash, small raised bumps, blisters or linear tracts containing mites or their eggs; found commonly between the fingers, on wrists or waistline. Causes severe itching especially at night. |
First exposure, 2-6 weeks; subsequent exposure, 1-4 days |
Until mites and eggs are destroyed, usually after 1-2 treatments. |
Day after treatment is completed. Occasionally a second treatment is needed. |
HAND, FOOT, and MOUTH |
Papulovesicular lesions appear on the buccal surfaces of check and gums and on sides of the tongue. Lesions may also appear on palms, fingers, and soles and last 7-10 days. Fever may also occur. |
3-5 days |
Acute stage of illness and perhaps longer. |
Exclude until lesions have begun to heal and the fever is gone and physician approves return. |
HEPATITIS B |
Onset is usually insidious with anorexia, vague abdominal discomfort, nausea, and vomiting sometimes arthralgias and rash, often progressing to jaundice. Fever may be absent or mild. |
45-180 days; |
Weeks before onset and throughout clinical course. Carrier state may persist for years. |
Healthy enough to return without danger to self. Carrier status should be individually. Note from physician is recommended. |
The Board of Education recognizes that control of the spread of communicable disease spread through casual-contact is essential to the well-being of the school community and to the efficient District operation.
For purposes of this policy, "casual-contact communicable disease" shall include diphtheria, scarlet fever and other strep infections, whooping cough, mumps, measles, rubella, and others designated by the Wisconsin Department of Public Health.
In order to protect the health and safety of the students, District personnel, and the community at large, the Board shall follow all State statutes and Health Department regulations which pertain to immunization and other means for controlling casual-contact communicable disease spread through normal interaction in the school setting.
If a student exhibits symptoms of a communicable disease, the District Administrator will isolate the student in the building and contact the parents/guardians. Protocols established by the County Health Department shall be followed.
The District Administrator shall develop administrative guidelines for the control of communicable disease which shall include:
B. removal of students from District property to the care of a responsible adult;
C. preparation of standards for the readmission of students who have recovered from casual-contact communicable diseases;
D. filing of reports as required by statute and the State Department of Health.
252.19, 252.21, Wis. Stats.
© Neola 2010