Health and Welfare Matters
Guidance for Parents on Infection Control in Schools and other
Childcare Settings
In order to avoid the spread of infection please follow the below information from the Public Health Agency.
For attendance purposes, use the guidance below in line with our school Attendance Policy, which can be found on the school website. Please follow advice to avoid unauthorised absence and possible Fixed Penalty Notices: contact the school and provide medical evidence if your child will be absent for more than 3 full days. Thank you.
RASHES & SKIN INFECTIONS
Infection or complaint
| Recommended period to be kept away from school, nursery or childminders | Comments |
Athlete’s Foot
|
None | Not a serious condition but treatment is recommended from GP |
Chickenpox
|
Until also spots (vesicles) have crusted over
| Exercise care and attention towards vulnerable children and pregnant women. Seek support from GP if unsure. |
Cold Sores (Herpes Simplex)
|
None | Avoid kissing and contact with the sores. Cold sores are generally mild. |
*German Measles (Rubella)
|
Four days from onset of rash | Preventable by immunisation (MMR x2 doses) Exercise care towards pregnant women. |
Hand, Foot & Mouth
|
None | Inform school because local HPT must be contacted if a large number of children are infected. |
Impetigo
| Until lesions are crusted and healed, or 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment | Antibiotic treatment speeds healing and reduces the infectious period. See your GP. |
*Measles
|
Four days from onset of rash | Preventable by vaccination (MMR x2) Exercise care and attention towards vulnerable children and pregnant women. Seek support from GP if unsure. |
Ringworm
|
None | Treatment is required from your GP |
Scabies
|
Child can return after first treatment | Household and close contacts require treatment also. See GP. |
*Scarlett Fever
|
Child can return 24 hours after starting appropriate antibiotic treatment
| See GP because antibiotic treatment is recommended. |
Slapped Cheek/Fifth Disease. Parvovirus
|
None (once rash has developed) | Exercise care and attention towards vulnerable children and pregnant women. Seek support from GP if unsure. |
Shingles
|
Keep child off school only if rash is weeping and cannot be covered. | Can cause chickenpox in those who are not immune, i.e. have not had chickenpox. It is spread by very close contact and touch. Seek medical help if unsure. |
Warts and Verrucae
|
None | Verrucae should be covered in swimming pools, gyms and changing rooms. |
DIARRHOEA & VOMITING ILLNESS
Infection or complaint
| Recommended period to be kept away from school, nursery or childminders | Comments |
Diarrhoea &/or vomiting
|
48 hours from last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting
|
Contact school but then return 48 hours later |
E.coli O157 VTEC Tyhoid* [and paratyphoid*] (enteric fever) Shigella (dysentery)
|
48 hours from last episode of diarrhoea. Further time may be needed for some children until they are no longer excreting. | Adhere closely to hygiene practices. Ensure children wash their hands regularly and especially after using the toilet. Contact your GP if symptoms are prolonged and are causing concern. |
Cryptosporidiosis
|
48 hours from the last episode of diarrhoea
| Exclusion from swimming is advisable for two weeks after the diarrhoea has settled.
|
RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS
Infection or complaint
| Recommended period to be kept away from school, nursery or childminders | Comments |
Flu (Influenza)
Coronavirus (COVID19) |
Until recovered
Try to stay home for: Adults 5 days Children 3 days All dependant on severity of symptoms also. If your child still seems unwell and as a high temperature then please extend this period. | Seek medical advice if appropriate |
*Tuberculosis
|
Always consult your GP for guidance
| TB requires prolonged close contact for spread |
*Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
|
5 days from starting antibiotic treatment given by GP | Preventable by vaccination. After treatment, non-infectious coughing may continue for many weeks. Children can return with coughing so long as it is 5 days from starting antibiotic treatment given by GP. |
OTHER INFECTIONS
Infection or complaint
| Recommended period to be kept away from school, nursery or childminders | Comments |
Conjunctivitis
|
None |
Consult GP if unsure of how to medicate. |
*Diptheria
|
Keeping away from school and other children is essential. Always consult your GP for guidance.
| Preventable by vaccination. Family contacts must also be checked and cleared/treated by GP. |
Glandular Fever
|
None |
|
Headlice
|
None | Be considerate of others and treat everyone in the family, especially if live lice have been seen. Wash pillows and bedding. Use recommended treatments from GP or pharmacy. |
*Hepatitis A
|
Until 7 days after onset of jaundice (or 7 days after symptom onset if no jaundice.
| Inform school and seek GP advice. Any outbreaks are reported. |
Hepatitis B*, C*, HIV/AIDS
|
None | Hepatitis B and C and HIV are bloodborne viruses that are not infectious through casual contact. Keep open cuts and sores covered. GP will advise. |
*Meningococcal Meningitis /*Septicaemia
|
Until fully recovered | Meningitis C is preventable by vaccination. There is no reason to exclude siblings or other close contacts of a case. GP advice must be sought. |
*Meningitis due to other bacteria
|
Until fully recovered | Hib and pneumococcal meningitis are preventable by vaccination. There is no reason to exclude siblings or other close contacts of a case. GP will advise. |
*Meningitis Viral
|
None | Milder illness. There is no reason to exclude siblings or other close contacts of a case. |
MRSA
|
None | Good hygiene, in particular handwashing and environmental cleaning are important to minimise any danger of spread. |
*Mumps
|
5 days after onset of swelling
| Preventable by vaccination (MMR x2 doses) |
Threadworms
|
None | Treatment is recommended for the child and all household contacts. |
Tonsillitis
| None | There are many causes, but most cases are due to viruses and do not need an antibiotic. Medical evidence from GP required if you choose to keep child off school.
|
| Strep A | 24 hours | If you or your child has a strep A infection, you should stay away from nursery, school or work for 24 hours after you start taking antibiotics. This will help stop the infection spreading to other people. Serious strep A infections (invasive group A strep, iGAS) need to be treated in hospital with antibiotics. |
*It is a statutory requirement that the GP reports these notifiable diseases to the LA and correct medical authorities. As a school, we will contact the local PHE centre if an outbreak of an infectious disease is suspected.
Useful Weblinks to external organisations...
Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board is a statutory multi-agency board made up of representatives from the Local Authority, Police, Health Service, Probation Trust, Youth Offending Service, the Voluntary Sector and others. Should you have concerns about any children, please browse and consult this service.
Lincolnshire School Nursing A super website which covers all elements paediatric.
Lincolnshire Schools Therapy Service The Children’s Therapy Service is an integrated team made up of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Therapy Assistants. We provide specialist therapy services for children and young people, between the ages of 0 -19.
Lincolnshire Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) CAMHS provide services across Lincolnshire, the Boston and Spalding Phone contact is 0303 123 4000
Maternal Mental Health Support A service designed to help should you need it.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust Home Page
Childrens Centres - LCC There are Children’s Centres throughout Lincolnshire, many of which offer outreach services Every family in Lincolnshire should be able to access our services and activities.
Lincolnshirechildren.net A partnership website for the Children's workforce.
ERIC The Childrens Continence Chairty have produced some useful information on toileting and drinking. Some of the leaflets they produce can be found in our entrance.
Head lice guidance from NHS UK A link to NHS UK concerning the treatment of head lice.
Eye test guidance from NHS England How often should primary school aged children have an eye test? Find out more by clicking on the link
LawStuff Coram Children’s Legal Centre’s Child Law Advice Service has launched a new website which helps children and young people (ages 10-21) find out about their legal rights. Called www.lawstuff.org.uk and funded by The Queen’s Trust, the website provides information about children’s rights in the following areas: Police and Law, Children’s Services, Education, Not from the UK, Home and Family, At what age can I…, Abuse and bullying, Sex health and drugs, My rights, Online safety.
Domestic Abuse Lincolnshire Please access this link if you or anyone you know is a victim of Domestic Abuse. Domestic abuse includes a range of abusive behaviours which are used by an abusive partner, or ex-partner or family member to maintain power and control over you.
Unfortunately not the ones with chocolate chips.
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