Main Street, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN2 3PF

01673860295

Hackthorn Church Of England Primary School

A small traditional school with a modern outlook

Infectious & Contagious Diseases

This policy has been agreed by the governing body of the school.

“Children who are unwell with an infectious or contagious disease should not be at school” (Dept. of Health March 1999)

To limit the possibility of an outbreak of infectious disease among other children and staff it is vital parents inform the school if their child contracts a transmittable infection or contagion.

If you are having difficulty deciding whether or not to keep your child off school, some useful advice/guidance is available via the NHS Choices website

A letter must be sent with the child on their return to school explaining their absence.

Category

Disease

Required time to be kept away from school (once child is well)

Rashes & Skin Chickenpox 5 days from onset of rash
German Measles 7 days from onset of rash
Impetigo Until lesions are crusted or healed, or 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment
Measles 4 days from onset of rash
Scabies Until treatment completed
Scarlet Fever Until clinically recovered after appropriate treatments have been given
Verrucae None
Diarrhoea & Vomiting Diarrhoea & Vomiting Until diarrhoea and/or vomiting have settled (48 hours from last episode)
E.Coli / Dysentery Until clinically fit and no diarrhoea for at least 2 days
Cryptosporidiosis 48 hours from last episode – exclusion from swimming is also advisable for two weeks after the diarrhoea has settled
Respiratory Whooping Cough 21 days from onset of typical paroxysmal cough OR 5 days from commencing antibiotic treatment
Others Conjunctivitis Until the child is completely well
Glandular Fever Until advised by GP that no longer infectious
Hand, foot and mouth disease Until clinical recovery
Hepatitis “A” 7 days from onset of jaundice (or 7 days after symptom onset if no jaundice)
Mumps Until swelling has subsided (7 days min.)

Certain diseases are statutorily notifiable under the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984 and Control of Infection Regulations 1988. It is the responsibility of the Doctor concerned to carry this out.

Headlice: No exclusion or isolation of a child is required. Headlice are a problem not just for schools but the whole community. In accordance with Lincolnshire Health Authority guidance “parents are at the ‘front line’ of head louse detection”. Parents should inspect their children regularly. Leaflets are available from school giving current advice on treatment. Fine tooth combs are also available from school at a cost of £2.50.

This information produced with reference to the Public Health England document ‘Guidance on Infection Control in Schools and other Childcare Settings’ – March 2017

Updated – Jan 2021