When can my child return? Is it contagious?
Should I cancel the
a) play date
b) birthday party or
c) family visit?
Exclusion criteria have been practiced for decades and there is a great deal of practical evidence that they are ineffective. (We docs are still in business). Before blaming your best friend for bringing their child into contact with your own, remember – The period of highest infectivity (most contagious) is usually BEFORE THE CHILD HAS ANY SYMPTOMS! Therefore, you must be clairvoyant to stop the spread of disease.
That said, there are some good medical tenants to REDUCE, not eliminate spread of disease.
Disease or symptom: | May return when: |
| Strep throat | 24 hours after starting antibiotics |
| Chickenpox | After the last lesion has crusted over |
| Pink eye | 24 hours after starting antibiotics* |
| Diarrhea (viral/not bloody) | When it is contained within the diaper |
| Pneumonia | 24 hours after starting antibiotics |
| Fever | 12-24 hours after temperature resolves if clinically better (acting well) |
| Runny Nose | No exclusion criteria(our schools would be empty) |
| Cough | See above |
| Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease | 24 hours after fever resolves |
| Impetigo | 24 hours after antibiotics started |
| Lice | After the first treatment with an effective pediculicide (Elimite, Permethrin) |
| Pinworms | Only restrict if accompanied by diarrhea |
| Ring worm | After treatment is started or lesion are covered |
* unless caused by allergies – itchy with clear discharge
These are guidelines only and individual schools and institutions may have different restrictions. Consult your school handbooks for guidance.
