isolation periods

The following table lists isolation periods for common illness in childhood. It is adapted from the 1997 Red Book (Report of the committee on Infectious Diseases of the American Academy of Pediatrics).

"Illness that prevents the child from participating comfortably in program activities," (or) "that results in a greater need for care than the staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children."
"Child has any of the following conditions: fever, lethargy, irritability, persistent crying, difficulty breathing, or any other manifestation of possible severe illness."
Diarrhea or stools that contain blood or mucus
E. coli 0157:H7	until diarrhea resolves and two stool cultures are negative
vomiting two or more times in previous 24 hours	unless condition is known to be noncommunicable and the child is not in danger of dehydration
mouth sores with drooling (stomatitis)	unless the child's physician states that child is noninfectious
rash with fever or behavior change	unless a physician has determined the illness to be noninfectious
purulent conjunctivitis (pink or red conjunctivae with white or yellow eye discharge)	until examined by a physician and approved for readmission with treatment
tuberculosis	until the child's physician or health department has determined the child is noninfectious
impetigo	until 24 hours after treatment started
streptococcal pharyngitis	until 24 hours of antibiotic treatment and until 24 hours fever-free
head lice	until first treatment
scabies	until treatment completed
chickenpox (varicella)	until sixth day after first rash, or sooner if all sores are dry and crusted
whooping cough (pertussis)	until 5 days of antibiotic treatment (of a total of 14) has been completed
mumps	until 9 days after salivary gland swelling
measles	until 6 days after onset of rash
hepatitis A	until one week after beginning of symptoms or jaundice (if symptoms are mild)

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