Communicable Diseases

Check out the CDC's Website for more info

Communicable Disease and Cause

Usual Time From Exposure to First Symptoms

Keep Person at Home

CHICKEN POX
(Virus)

13 to 21 days

For at least 6 days after the skin eruption first appears or until lesions are crusted.

CONJUNCTIVITIS
(Pink Eye)

Usually 24 to 72 hours

Until drainage is no longer present or 24 hours after antibiotic treatment started.

FIFTH DISEASE
(Virus)

Usually 4 to 20 days

Until fever is gone.

HAND, FOOT, & MOUTH DISEASE
(Virus)

3-5 days

Until fever is gone; use good handwashing with respiratory secretions and feces.

IMPETIGO
(Bacteria)

4 to 10 days

Until lesions have crusted over.

MEASLES
(Virus)

10 to 14 days

From time of diagnosis until at least 5 days after the appearance of the rash.

MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITIS
(Bacteria)

2-10 days, commonly 3-4 days

Until 24 hours after appropriate antibiotic.

MONONUCLEOSIS
(Virus)

30 to 50 days

Until released by physician.

MUMPS
(Virus)

12 to 26 days

For at least 9 days from the onset of swelling or until all swelling disappears.

PEDICULOSIS (LICE)
(Head, Body or Public Louse)

Direct contact; eggs hatch in 7 days

Until lice and eggs have been destroyed through proper treatment and all nits removed.

PERTUSSIS (Whooping Cough)
(Bacteria)

6-20 days, usually 7-10 days

Until 6th day of appropriate antibiotic therapy or 3 weeks after onset of cough if not treated.

PINWORM
(Worm)

2-6 weeks

Until prescription medication begun.  Assure environmental cleaning done.

PLANTAR’S WARTS
(Virus)

Up to 6 months

No restrictions.

RINGWORM
(Fungus)

Direct contact- 4 to 10 days

Until anti-fungal therapy has been started and lesions begin to shrink..

SCABIES
(Mite)

Direct contact

2-6 weeks after first exposure 1-4 days after re-exposure

Until 24 hours after treatment.

SCARLET FEVER or STREP THROAT
(Bacteria)

2 to 5 days

Until on an antibiotic for 24 hours.

ALL cases of the above diseases need to be reported to the Health Department.