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COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Under certain conditions students may be excluded from school for medical reasons as directed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Please remember that the school nurse is not a doctor, and can not diagnose a child's illness or injury. It is the responsibility of the parent to have the child treated by a physician whenever necessary. Please do not send your child to school if they are sick.
DISEASE
INCUBATION
DURATION OF EXCLUSION FROM SCHOOL
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Chicken Pox
2 - 3 weeks
Until temperature is normal and scabs are dry and crusted.
Slight fever, listlessness, blister-like spots turning to crusts.
German Measles
12 - 22 days
At least four days from onset of rash and temperature is normal.
Mild cold, slight pinkish rash that gives a blush to the skin and fades with pressure-disappears within three days.
Head Lice
Until nits are removed and judged non-infective by the school nurse or doctor.
Extreme itchiness of scalp and appearance of nits or lice.
Impetigo
Unknown
Until judged non-infective by the school nurse or the child's physician.
Crust-like sores with a discharge - occurs mainly around the mouth and nose. Appears in small groups and single spots.
Influenza
24 - 72 hours
Early stages and while fever is present.
Sudden onset of fever, aches and pains in the back and limbs, runny nose, sore throat, chest cough.
Measles
7 - 18 days
At least four days from onset of rash and temperature normal.
Mild fever, aches and pains, listlessness, redness and watering of the eyes, cough, fine red rash appearing on face, neck, or behind the ears. Lasts about 5 days.
Mumps
12 - 26 days
Nine days from onset or until swelling subsides and temperature is normal.
Slight fever, listlessness, nausea, irritability, swelling, inflammation and tenderness of the glands of the neck from the tip of the ear downward under the chin.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis (pinkeye)
Unknown
Twenty four hours after start of medication.
Redness of eye, drainage.
Ringworm
Unknown
Until judged non-infective by the school nurse or child's physician.
Scaly patches on the head or body, sometimes itchy(child may attend school if scales are covered)
Scabies
Until treatment is completed
Fine scab-like rash which is very itchy.
Scarlet Fever or Scariatina
1 - 10 days
Seven days from onset or twenty-four hours after starting medication (a doctor's note is needed to show date treatment began)
Sudden sore throat, fever, headache, nausea and vomiting - bright red rash begins on the upper chest one to three days after onset, spreads rapidly over neck, arms, body and legs. Skin appears velvety.
Whooping Cough
1-3 weeks
Four weeks from onset or seven days after starting appropriate therapy (doctor's note needed to show the date treatment was started)
Head cold, dry cough which is worse at tonight, followed by a sudden, rapid deep drawing in of the breath accompanied by a characteristic whoop.
