School exclusion periods - infographic
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Sometimes children must be kept away from school or childcare. This is called being ‘excluded’. It can happen if a child has a certain type of sickness.
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School Exclusion Periods
If your child has an infectious condition, you may need to keep them home from day care or school to stop it from spreading. Here’s a list of common childhood illnesses and their recommended exclusion periods.
Chickenpox
Until all blisters have dried (usually 5 days).
Conjunctivitis
Until discharge (pus) from the eyes has stopped.
COVID-19
If positive COVID-19 test, they should stay home until acute symptoms go.
Diarrhoea
1 day after the last loose bowel motion (if no cause is identified).
Gastroenteritis
1 day after the last loose bowel motion (if no cause is identified).
Hand, foot and mouth disease
Until all blisters have dried.
Head lice
No exclusion period (as long as effective treatment has started).
Impetigo
Until 48 hours after treatment or once sores have dried and healed.
Influenza (flu)
Until well.
Measles
At least 4 days after the first rash.
Mumps
9 days or until the swelling goes down.
RSV
Until acute symptoms go, and they feel well.
Rubella
At least 4 days after the first rash or until they have recovered fully.
Scabies
1 day after appropriate treatment has started.
Whooping cough
5 days after antibiotics started, or 21 days from the first cough.
No exclusion period
- Colds
- Threadworms
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