DISEASE

INCUBATION PERIOD (DAYS)

CONTAGIOUS PERIOD (DAYS)

Skin Infections/Rashes:

Chickenpox

14-16

2 days before rash until all sores have crusts (6-7 days)

Fifth disease (Erythema infectiosum)

10-14

7 days before rash until rash begins

Hand, foot, and mouth disease

3-6

Onset of mouth ulcers until fever gone

Impetigo (strep or staph)

2-5

Onset of sores until 24 hours on antibiotic

Lice

7

Onset of itch until 1 treatment

Measles

10-12

4 days before rash until rash gone (7 days)

Roseola

10-15

Onset of fever until rash gone (2 days)

Rubella (German measles)

14-21

7 days before rash until rash gone (4 days)

Scabies

30

Onset of rash until 1 treatment

Scarlet fever

3-6

Onset of fever or rash until 24 hours on antibiotic

Shingles (contagious for chicken pox)

14-16

Onset of rash until all sores have crusts (7 days) (Note: No need to isolate if sores can be kept covered.)

Warts

30-180

Minimally contagious

Respiratory Infections:

Bronchiolitis

4-6

Onset of cough until 7 days

Colds

2-5

Onset of runny nose until fever gone

Cold sores (herpes)

2-12

Footnote 1

Coughs (viral) or croup (viral)

2-5

Onset of cough until fever gone

Diphtheria

2-5

Onset of sore throat until 4 days on antibiotic

Influenza

1-2

Onset of cough until fever gone

Sore throat, strep

2-5

Onset of sore throat until 24 hours on antibiotic

DISEASE

INCUBATION PERIOD (DAYS)

CONTAGIOUS PERIOD (DAYS)

Respiratory Infections: (continued)

Sore throat, viral

2-5

Onset of sore throat until fever gone

Tuberculosis

14-70

Until 2 weeks on drugs (Note: Most childhood TB is not contagious.)

Whooping cough

7-10

Onset of runny nose until 5 days on antibiotic

Intestinal Infections:

Diarrhea, bacterial

1-5

Footnote 2 for Diarrhea Precautions

Diarrhea, giardia

7-21

Footnote 2 for Diarrhea Precautions

Diarrhea, traveler's

1-6

Footnote 2 for Diarrhea Precautions

Diarrhea, viral (Rotavirus)

1-3

Footnote 2 for Diarrhea Precautions

Hepatitis A

14-50

2 weeks before jaundice begins until jaundice resolved (7 days)

Hepatitis B

50-180

2 weeks before jaundice begins until jaundice resolved (7 days)

Pinworms

21-28

Minimally contagious, staying home is unnecessary

Vomiting, viral

2-5

Until vomiting stops

Other Infections:

Infectious mononucleosis

30-50

Onset of fever until fever gone (7 days)

Meningitis, bacterial

2-10

7 days before symptoms until 24 hours on IV antibiotics in hospital

Mumps

16-18

5 days before swelling until swelling gone (7 days)

Pinkeye without pus (viral)

1-5

Mild infection, staying home is unnecessary

Pinkeye with pus (bacterial)

2-7

Onset of pus until 1 day on antibiotic eyedrops