Childcare Guide to Communicable Disease
Review the following guidelines to determine:
- When it is safe for a child to return to childcare or an early years' program after contracting a communicable disease
- Whether you need to report to HPPH
If you need to report to HPPH, have the following information ready when you call:
- Name of child and parent/guardian
- Date of birth
- Address
- Telephone number
- Physician’s name and telephone number
- Name of hospital (if child is admitted)
- Immunization information
Report to the health unit if there is an increase in the number of children ill. This may indicate a potential outbreak. Contact the health unit immediately and review Outbreak Control Measures in Childcare.
Note: While not all illnesses are reportable to Huron Perth Public Health, childcare centres who have questions and/or need assistance with any illness present in their facility are encouraged to reach out to the HPPH Infectious Disease Team. We are glad to provide assistance as needed.
| Disease / Condition | Exclusion | Reportable |
|---|---|---|
| Campylobacter | YES – until diarrhea is gone and child is symptom free for 24 hours | Yes |
| Chicken Pox | See Varicella | Yes |
| Cold Sores | See Herpes Simplex | No |
| Common cold | No – as long as child can participate in usual activities | No |
| Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye) |
Most often it is viral and self limiting. If child is well enough to attend and can comply with hand hygiene, then no exclusion is necessary. | No |
| COVID-19 | Until 24 hours after symptoms have improved (48 hours after vomiting and diarrhea) and no fever | |
| Coxsackie A (Hand, Foot & Mouth) | No – unless too ill to participate in normal activities | No |
| Cryptosporidium | YES – until 24 hours with no diarrhea. Emphasize hand washing as parasite is in stool for several weeks after no symptoms. | No |
| Diarrhea | YES – until no diarrhea for 48 hours or health care provider determines child is not infectious | Report 3 or more children having diarrhea occurring within 48 hours, or any case of bloody diarrhea |
| Ear infections | See Otitis Media | |
| Escherichia coli (E. coli 0157:H7) |
YES – until no diarrhea or other symptoms and 2 negative stool cultures have been obtained | Yes |
| Exanthema Subitum – Sixth Disease | See Roseola Infantum | |
| Fifth Disease (Human Parvovirus) |
No – as long as child is well enough to participate | No – exposure may be a concern to non-immune pregnant women |
| German Measles | See Rubella | Yes |
| Giardia | YES – until 24 hours symptom free. Emphasize hand washing. | Yes |
| Hand, Foot & Mouth | No – unless too ill to participate in normal activities | No |
| Head Lice | Not a disease. No public health exclusion. Manage as per facility policy. | No |
| Hepatitis A | YES – up to 2 weeks. Consult with health care provider. | Yes |
| Hepatitis B | No | Yes. Immediately report any bites that cause bleeding. Hepatitis B vaccine and/or immune globulin may be indicated for close contacts under special circumstances. |
| Herpes Simplex | No – unless extensive mouth lesions and drooling. Should be well enough to participate normally in all activities. | No |
| Impetigo | YES – until antibiotic treatment has been taken for one full day. | No |
| Influenza | YES – for 5 days after onset of symptoms or until symptom free, whichever is shorter. | Yes – if diagnosed by a health care provider. |
| Disease/Condition | Exclusion | Reportable |
|---|---|---|
| Measles | YES – until at least 4 days after onset of rash. | Yes – measles must be diagnosed by a health care provider. |
| Meningitis | YES – until fully recovered and feeling well enough to participate. |
Yes. In some circumstances, people in close contact may require antibiotics. Infrequently, vaccinations may be required in the schools. |
| Mumps | YES – for 5 days from onset of swelling. | Yes – mumps must be diagnosed by a health care provider. |
| Norovirus (Norwalk virus) |
YES – Until 48 hours after last symptom. | Yes. Report outbreaks of 3 or more children with symptoms. |
| Otitis Media | No – unless child too ill to participate in activities. | No |
| Pertussis (whooping cough) | YES – until 5 days after start of antibiotics or 3 weeks if no treatment given. Contacts may need antibiotics or vaccine. |
Yes – if diagnosed by a health care provider. |
| Pinkeye | See Conjunctivitis | No |
| Ringworm | YES – until seen by health care provider and treatment started. | No |
| Roseola Infantum | No – unless too ill to participate. | No |
| Rotavirus | YES – until 48 hours after diarrhea and vomiting have stopped. | Yes. Report outbreaks of 3 or more children with symptoms. |
| Rubella (German measles) | YES – for 7 days after onset of rash. | Yes – rubella must be diagnosed by a health care provider. |
| Salmonella | YES – until diarrhea is gone and no other symptoms for 24 hours. | Yes |
| Scabies | YES – until first treatment has been applied. | No |
| Shigella | YES – until 24 hours with no diarrhea or other symptoms and 2 negative stool cultures have been obtained. | Yes |
| Shingles | YES – return when well enough to participate in all activities. Should avoid play with sand, water and play dough to prevent secondary infection. |
No |
| Strep Throat/Scarlet Fever | YES – until 24 hours after treatment is started and child feels well enough to participate. | No |
| Varicella (Chicken Pox) | YES – return when well enough to participate in all activities. Should avoid play with sand, water and play dough to prevent secondary infection. | Yes. Notify parents of immunocompromised children. |
| Whooping Cough | See Pertussis. | Yes |
| Yersinia | YES – until 24 hours with no diarrhea or other symptoms. | Yes |