Disease

Exclusion from school

Chicken pox

Until all vesicles have crusted over.

Conjunctivitis

None

Coronavirus COVID-19

Stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after testing positive. After 3 days, if feeling well and do not have a high temperature, the risk of passing the infection on to others is much lower so children can return to school.

Diarrhoea and/or

vomiting

For 48 hours from last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting.

E.coli O157

48 hours from the last episode of diarrhoea. Longer exclusion may be required for some children. Consult HPA.

Food poisoning

Until free of symptoms (diarrhoea and/or vomiting) for 48 hours.

Flu (influenza)

Until recovered.

German Measles (rubella)

Four days from onset of rash.

Glandular Fever

None

Hand, foot and mouth

None

Head lice

None

Hepatitis A

For 7 days from onset of jaundice (or seven days after symptom onset if no jaundice)

Impetigo

Until lesions are crusted or healed or 48 hours after commencing antibiotic treatment.

Measles

For 4 days from onset of rash.

Mumps

Exclude child for 5 days after onset of swelling.

Ringworm

Exclusion not usually required.

Rubella

For 6 days from onset of rash.

Scabies

Child can return after first treatment has commenced.

Scarlet Fever

Child can return 24 hours after commencing appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Slapped Cheek (firth disease)

None once rash has developed.

Shingles

Exclude only if rash is weeping and cannot be covered.

Shigella (dysentery)

For 48 hours from last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting. Longer exclusion may be required for some children. Consult HPA.

Strep A (Streptococcus A)

For at least 24 hours after antibiotic treatment started. 

Threadworm

None

Tonsillitis

None

Tuberculosis

For two weeks after treatment has started. HPA will advise on action.

Typhoid (and paratyphoid)

For 48 hours from last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting. Longer exclusion may be required for some children. Consult HPA.

Whooping Cough

48 hours from commencing antibiotic treatment or 21 days from onset of illness if no antibiotic treatment.