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Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn |
Infectious Diseases
Related Policies:
Purpose:
To inform school communities of their role in helping health authorities and families manage the control of infectious diseases.
Policy:
Parents of children enrolling in Kindergarten must present to the school an Immunisation Certificate. Children who have not been immunised may be required to remain at home during an outbreak of an infectious disease such as whooping cough or measles.
Health regulations state that students suffering certain infectious diseases must be excluded from school for a period of time.
Parents must notify the school if their child contracts an infectious disease. The school will contact the Health Department regarding notifiable cases. Parents of immune deficient students need to be informed of cases of chickenpox and measles.
Definitions:
Exclusion : period of time for which a child is required not to attend school.
The following is a guide for some of the common diseases for which children have to be excluded from school:
Disease |
Exclusion time |
|
Chicken Pox |
At least 5 days after the first spots appear or when blisters have all crusted. |
|
Conjunctivitis |
Until discharge from eyes has ceased. |
|
Diarrhoea |
Up until diarrhoea has stopped. |
|
Diphtheria |
Until medical officer certifies recovery. |
|
German Measles (Rubella) |
Until child has fully recovered, and for at least 4 days after rash appears. |
|
Glandular Fever |
Not necessary to keep children home but some children with glandular fever are too sick to attend school. |
|
Hand, Foot and Mouth |
Until blisters have dried. |
|
Head lice |
Until hair has been treated. Solutions available from ph armacies. Everyone living in the same house (as well as linen etc) should be treated at the same time as the affected person. |
|
Ringworm and Scabies |
Until day after fungal treatment has begun. |
|
Hepatitis A |
Until child has recovered (usually 7 days from the first signs of jaundice). |
|
Hepatitis B and C |
Not necessary to keep the child home. |
|
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) |
Not necessary to keep the child at home (unless she or he has a secondary infectious disease, such as TB). |
|
Impetigo |
Until appropriate treatment has commenced and visible sores are covered. |
|
Influenza |
For 5 days after the appearance of the first symptoms. |
|
Measles |
For at least 4 days after the appearance of rash. |
|
Meningitis |
Until well. |
|
Meningococcal |
Until well. |
|
Mumps |
Until child has fully recovered and for 9 days after the appearance of swelling. |
|
Scarlet Fever |
At least 24 hours after treatment has begun. |
|
Streptococcal Infection |
Until day after treatment has commenced and student feels well. |
|
TB (Tuberculosis) |
Until student has certified clearance by medical practitioner. |
|
Whooping Cough |
Child should be kept home for 5 days from the start of antibiotic treatment; otherwise, keep home for 2 weeks from when “whoop” starts |
|
Procedures:
1. Schools are to ensure the school community is fully informed of the procedures to be followed relating to infectious diseases.
2. Parents are to present Immunisation Certificates to the school prior to the child's enrolment.
3. Schools to follow procedure set down in First Aid policy in regards to Blood Born Viruses (BBV).
References:
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/public-health/cdscu/facts/pdf/Someinfectiousdiseasesofchildren2001.pdf
Forms:
Nil
Approved by: |
CEO Heads of Division |
Issuing Group: |
Education Services Division |
Implementation Date: |
January 2005 |
Revision Date: |
2008 |
CEO Contact Officer: |
Education Officer: Student Health, Sport & Safety |
Last updated on December 2, 2006