Communicable diseases

ASHTON COMMUNITY SCIENCE COLLEGE School Policy for COMMUNICABLE DISEASES Any child or member of Staff, who has a communicable disease, should not be in School until he or she no longer poses a risk to others.

If there is any doubt about whether a student or member of Staff should be in School, the Student Services Leader will seek advice from the designated School Nurse or other suitably qualified practitioner.

Immunisation •

It is recommended that every child should be immunised in accordance with the national immunisation schedule.

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Routine immunisations are offered in School at the appropriate times. programmes.

The School supports these

Vulnerable Children Some children have medical conditions that make them especially vulnerable to infections that would rarely be serious in other children. Such children include those being treated for leukaemia or other cancers, children on high doses of steroids by mouth (not inhalers) and children with conditions which seriously reduce immunity.

Usually schools or nurseries are made aware of such children through their parents, or carers, or the school health service.

These children are especially vulnerable to chickenpox and measles. If a vulnerable child is exposed to either of these infections, the parent or carer(s) should be informed promptly so that they can seek further medical advice as necessary.

Staff Health •

It is recommended that Staff be fully immunised, including BCG and Hepatitis B.

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Staff are advised to cover any cuts or abrasions on their skin with a waterproof dressing.

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Staff must wear PPE including latax gloves if there is a risk of contact with any body fluid.

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Pregnant Staff should seek medical advice if: a) they have not previously had chickenpox and come into contact with the disease during the first 20 weeks of the pregnancy, or late pregnancy (the last 3 weeks before birth), b) they are unsure of their rubella immunity status, c) the member of Staff is exposed to Slapped Cheek Disease (Parvovirus) during either the early weeks of pregnancy or very late weeks.

This policy is reviewed by the Resources Committee

Date of last Review: December 2014

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Good Hygiene Practices Some communicable diseases can be passed on before a person becomes unwell, whilst others can be transmitted by long term, apparently well, carriers of a disease. For these reasons, it is imperative that high standards of basic hygiene and cleanliness are maintained at all times and not just in the event of an outbreak or during activities which are known to carry an increased risk, for example, farm visits.

Hand Washing •

Hand washing with warm water and liquid dispensed soap, followed by thorough drying with disposable or separate towels, serves to effectively rid the hands of any germs.

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Good hygiene practice is encouraged throughout the School at all times but is re-emphasised if there are outbreaks of diarrhoea, scabies or any other contagious infections.

Environment •

A full and comprehensive cleaning schedule is operated in line with County requirements.

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In the case of outbreaks of infection, further, more comprehensive cleaning is undertaken, after consultation with the appropriate medical authorities and the County Council.

Blood, Body Fluids and Sharps Injuries Section H of the Health and Safety Document and sections G and H of the Medical Conditions in Schools folder contains full details of measures to be taken.

Outbreak Control An outbreak can be defined as an unexpected increase in the number of cases of a similar illness over a short period of time. If an outbreak is suspected within the school setting, then the Communicable Disease Team in the local Public Health Department will be contacted. The School Nurse will also be informed.

It is important to note that, for many communicable diseases, outbreaks in schools are usually a reflection of infection spreading in the wider community and are difficult to prevent. The Public Health Department will, however, advise the school on how best to manage the situation.

This policy is reviewed by the Resources Committee

Date of last Review: December 2014

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COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL Exclusion Periods The following table gives exclusion periods for different diseases.

Disease

Exclusion Period

Disease

Exclusion Period

Chickenpox

Until all vesicles have crushed over None

Molluscum Contagiosum Mumps

No exclusion necessary

Conjunctivitis

Exclude until better or improving on treatment from G.P.

Psoriasis

Diarrhoea and vomiting

Exclude until symptoms have stopped for at least 24 hours

Ringworm the feet)

(of

No exclusion necessary

Eczema

No exclusion necessary unless infected

Ringworm the scalp)

(of

None once appropriate treatment commenced by G.P.

Fifth Disease

No exclusion necessary if well.

Ringworm (other area)

None once appropriate treatment commenced by G.P.

Flu (influenza)

No exclusion necessary if better

Roseola

No exclusion necessary

Glandular fever

No exclusion necessary if well

Rubella

For 4 days from the onset of rash

Hand, foot and mouth disease Impetigo

No exclusion necessary if well

Scabies

Exclude until first treated

Until lesions are crushed over or 48 hrs after starting antibiotics No exclusion necessary but refer to school nurse for advice on treatment

Scarlet fever

Child can return 24 hrs after antibiotic treatment has started

Sore throat (mild viral)

No exclusion necessary

Sore throat (bacterial)

For 5 days from start of antibiotics

Threadworm

No exclusion necessary

For 4 days after onset of rash.

Verrucae (warts)

No exclusion necessary but keep lesions covered.

None once better

Whooping Cough

For 5 days from commencing appropriate antibiotics. Or 21 days from onset of illness if no

Cold Sores

Head lice

Hepatitis A Hepatitis B &

HIV/AIDS

Exclude until 7 days after on set of jaundice[or 7 days after symptom onset if no jaundice] No exclusion necessary but strict hygiene precautions should be adhered to when handling blood or body substances As for Hepatitis B and C.

Tuberculosis (pulmonary)

Measles Meningitis

For 5 days after onset of swelling No exclusion necessary if not infected

Until 2 weeks after start of treatment.

Seek advice from Consultant in Communicable Disease Control.

This policy is reviewed by the Resources Committee

Date of last Review: December 2014

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antibiotic treatment

OTHER ILLNESSES

Athletes foot

None

Slapped cheek

None

Shingles

Exclude only if rash is weeping

Warts

None

E.coli

48 hrs from last bout of diarrhoea

Diphtheria

Exclusion is essential Always consult HPT

MRSA

None

Tonsillitis

None

This document was reviewed Dec 2014

This policy is reviewed by the Resources Committee

Date of last Review: December 2014

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