Return to school after infections

Q. What guidelines are there for how long a child should stay out of school for the following infections?

1. Conjunctivitis. For purulent conjunctivitis, ("pink eye"; for appropriate diagnosis it should be associated with a purulent eye discharge) children should be kept out of school until they have received 24 hours of topical antibiotic therapy.
2. Viral gastroenteritis. There is no specific exclusion policy for diarrhoea but these children should be kept out of school until their diarrhoea has subsided substantially mainly because these children do not feel well enough to be in school and it is easier to manage at home. It should be emphasized that thorough hand washing after bowel movements by the child and/or caregiver is mandatory whether at school or at home.
3. Viral URI and Strep throat. Children with laboratory confirmed Streptococcal tonsillitis should be kept out of school until they have received 24 hours of antibiotic therapy. Children with viral URI should be kept out of school if they have a fever or feel unwell.

Reference: Canadian Pediatric Society, Well Beings 1992.