Communicable Diseases

Check out the CDC's Website for more info

Fact Sheets for various diseases can be obtained at Wisconsin Division of Public Health

Communicable Disease and Cause

Usual Time From Exposure to First Symptoms

Keep Person at Home

CHICKEN POX
(Virus)

13 to 21 days

When all lesions have crusted.  Usually about 5 days.

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.  Not contagious once rash appears.

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

24 hours after appropriate antibiotic.

MEASLES
(Virus)

10 to 14 days

5 days after the appearance of the rash, or negative lab test.

MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITIS
(Bacteria)

2-10 days, commonly 3-4 days

Until 24 hours after appropriate antibiotic and illness has subsided.

MONONUCLEOSIS
(Virus)

30 to 50 days

Until released by physician.

MUMPS
(Virus)

12 to 26 days

10 days after the onset of parotid gland swelling.

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

Direct contact; eggs hatch in 7 days

Until live lice and eggs have been destroyed through proper treatment.

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

When diarrhea ceases.  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.  Lesions begin to shrink or infected lesions can be covered.

SCABIES
(Mite)

Direct contact

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

After treatment is completed. 

SCARLET FEVER or STREP THROAT
(Bacteria)

2 to 5 days

24 hours after the start of the appropriate antibiotic. 

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