GP Medical Practice, Doctors in Bingley and Crossflatts 

My child is ill? Do I need to see the doctor?

The booklet below was written by Cardiff University and NHS Wales, and is endorsed by the Royal College of General Practitioners. It gives useful information to help you decide whether you should see your GP or whether you can manage the illness yourself.

When should I worry?

 

 

Is your child infectious?

Periods of infectivity for some common infections are listed:

  • mumps: 3 days before salivary gland swelling to 7 days after
  • chicken pox: a few days before the onset of rash develops and not more than six days after first lesions appear
  • measles: from the start of fever/flu-like symptoms to 4 days after the onset of the rash
  • rubella: one week before onset of rash until 4 days after
  • whooping cough: one week after exposure until 3 weeks after onset of symptoms (but only 7 days if antibiotics given)
  • scarlet fever: 10-21 days after the rash onset (but only one day if penicillin given)
  • slapped cheek disease: for up to 14 days before the onset of the rash. A child is no longer infectious once the rash has appeared

Does your child need to stay off school?

Exclusion for five days

  • from rash onset - chickenpox, german measles (rubella), measles
  • from starting antibiotics - whooping cough (pertussis), scarlet fever
  • from onset of swollen glands - mumps

Exclusion until condition has settled for 24 hours

  • giardiasis; salmonella; shigella

Exclusion until lesions crusted or healed

  • impetigo

Exclusion from school until treated

  • scabies

Conditions where there is no recommended period to be kept away from school (once the child is well)

  • influenza; cold sores (HSV); molluscum contagiosum; ringworm (tinea); athlete's foot; hand, foot and mouth disease; roseola; slapped cheek disease (parvovirus); warts and verrucae; conjunctivitis; glandular fever; head lice; non-meningiococcal meningitis; thread worm; tonsillitis
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