DISEASE | INCUBATION PERIOD (DAYS) |
CONTAGIOUS PERIOD (DAYS) |
Skin Infections/Rashes: | ||
Chickenpox | 10-21 | 2 days before rash until all sores have crusts (6 – 7days) |
COVID-19 | 2-10 | Onset of symptoms until fever gone and at least 10 days after symptoms started |
Fifth disease (Erythema infectiosum) | 4-14 | 7 days before rash until rash begins |
Hand, foot, and mouth disease | 3-6 | Onset of rash until fever gone. If widespread blisters, return after blisters are dry (6-7 days). |
Impetigo (strep or staph) | 2-5 | Onset of sores until 24 hours on antibiotic |
Lice | 7 | Onset of itch until 1 treatment |
Measles | 8-12 | 4 days before rash until 4 days after rash appears |
Monkeypox | 5-21 | Onset of symptoms until all crusts on sores have fallen off (2-4 weeks) |
Roseola | 9-10 | Onset of fever until fever gone for 24 hours |
Rubella (German measles) | 14-21 | 7 days before rash until 5 days after rash appears |
Scabies | 30-45 | Onset of rash until 1 treatment |
Scarlet fever | 3-6 | Onset of fever or rash until at least 12 hours on antibiotic and fever is gone |
Shingles virus (causes chickenpox in others, not shingles) | 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 |
COVID-19 | 2-14 | Onset of symptoms until fever gone and at least 10 days have passed |
Influenza | 1-2 | Onset of symptoms until fever gone |
Sore throat, strep | 2-5 | Onset of sore throat until at least 12 hours on antibiotic and fever is gone |
Sore throat, viral | 2-5 | Onset of sore throat until fever gone |
Tuberculosis | 6-24 months | 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 | 7-28 | 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) |
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 |
Meningitis, viral | 3-6 | Onset of symptoms and for 1-2 weeks |
Mumps | 12-25 | 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 |
Cold sores: less than 6 years old, contagious until cold sores are dry (4-5 days). No isolation if sores are on part of body that can be covered. More than 6 years old, no isolation necessary if beyond touching, picking stage.
Diarrhea Precautions: contagious until stools are formed. Stay home until fever is gone, diarrhea is mild, blood and mucus are gone, and toilet-trained child has control over loose stools. Shigella and E-coli 0157 require extra precautions. Consult your child care provider regarding attendance restrictions.
Respiratory Infections: many can also be contagious during the 2 days before symptoms start. For that reason, spread is difficult to control.
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