Exclusion scolaire pour infections
Revu par Dr Doug McKechnie, MRCGPDernière mise à jour par Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGPDernière mise à jour 6 mars 2025
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Dans cette série :Éruptions viralesRougeoleVaricelle chez les enfantsVaricelle chez les adultes et les adolescentsScarlatineMaladie main-pied-bouche
Ce dépliant fournit des informations succinctes sur les infections courantes chez les enfants et indique si les enfants doivent aller à l'école, à la crèche ou dans d'autres structures de garde.
En un coup d'œil
Incubation time is the period from infection contact to symptom appearance.
Infectivity is the length of time a person can spread an infection.
Exclusion periods from school or nursery vary by illness.
Pregnant women exposed to certain infections should see a doctor immediately.
Children with weakened immune systems may need to consult their doctor.
Doctors are often asked about incubation times for the common childhood infections, so that they can advise whether the child should go to school, nursery or other childcare. Incubation time is the time between coming into contact with the source of the infection and the symptoms showing. Infectivity is the length of time that you are infectious. Both of these can be variable, so the following is only a guide. More detailed information and links to public health documents are in the further reading section.
This leaflet can only give general principles - the parents of children whose immune systems are weak (due to disease or due to taking immunosuppressive medication) may want to speak to their doctor. This is particularly important if the weakened immune system has prevented full vaccination - for example, with the MMR vaccine.
Pregnant women (for example, those working in a school or nursery) who are exposed to chickenpox, German measles, parvovirus or measles should consult their doctor immediately - in some cases an urgent blood test will be needed to check for immunity.
Remarque: * indicates a notifiable disease. In the UK these are required (by law) to be reported to government authorities.
Disease and | Infectivity | Exclude Until | Comments |
Varicelle | Up to 4 days before (usually only 1 day) to 5 days after. Cases often transmit before appearance of rash. | At least 5 days from the onset of the rash and until all blisters have crusted over. | Exclude until all lesions have crusted over and it is at least five days from the start of the rash. Contacts with a weak immune system or who are pregnant should speak to their GP in case they need preventative treatment. |
Feux sauvages | While lesions are moist. | None. | Highly infectious, especially amongst young children. Avoid kissing. |
Conjonctivite | While active (direct contact). Infective up to 2 weeks. | None. | Transmission more likely in young children by direct contact - very few data. |
Cryptosporidiose* | 12-14 days (may be as long as 1 month). | 48 hours from last episode of diarrhoea. | Exclusion from swimming for 14 days after diarrhoea has settled. |
Diarrhée et vomissements | 6-16 days. | 48 hours from last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting. | Exclude for 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting. |
fièvre glandulaire | At least 2 months. | None. | None. |
Maladie main-pied-bouche | Up to 50% in homes and nurseries. | None. | Children can return to school once they feel better: they do not need to be excluded until blisters have healed. Stool excretion continues for some weeks. Avoid infection in pregnant women. If large numbers of children in one setting are affected then public health should be contacted as they may consider exclusion. |
Poux de tête | While harbouring lice. | None. | Treatment needed for cases and contacts shown to have live head lice. |
Hépatite A* | From 2 weeks before to 1-2 weeks after jaundice onset. | Exclude until 7 days after onset of jaundice (or 7 days after symptom onset if no jaundice). | Good hygiene needs emphasising. |
See comment. NB. People with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus to others. | None. | These are blood-borne viruses and are not infectious through casual contact. | |
Impetigo | High (streptococci). Low (staphylococci). Variable infectivity depending on causative bacteria. | Until lesions have healed or crusted or 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment. | Antibiotics speed healing and shorten the infectious period. |
Rougeole* | Highly contagious in the non-immune population. A few days before to 6-18 days after onset of rash. | 4 days from onset of rash. | Check immunisation. |
Méningite | Depends on which bacteria are causing it but can be highly infectious. | Until the child has recovered. | Public health will advise - in some cases school/nursery contacts may need preventative antibiotics. Siblings or household contacts do not need to be excluded. |
SARM | Low. | None. | Good hygiene, in particular handwashing, is important. |
Oreillons* | 10-29 days. Moderately infective in the non-immunised population. | 5 days from onset of swelling. | Preventable by vaccination. |
Teigne | Until lesions resolve. | Exclusion not usually required. | Good hygiene helps. Treatment is required and can usually be bought over the counter. |
Rubéole* | 1 week before to approximately 4 days after onset of rash. | 4 days from onset of rash. | Preventable by immunisation. Check all female contacts are immune - non-immune pregnant contacts should see their GP. |
Gale | Until mites and eggs are dead. | Can return after first treatment. | Risk of transmission is low in schools but outbreaks do occur. Close contacts should also be treated. |
Scarlatine* | Moderate within families. Low elsewhere. Infective first 3 days of treatment. | 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment. | Moderate within families. If there is more than one case in a setting, public health should be informed. |
Zona | Reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox but lower infectivity. | 5 days from the onset of the rash. | If the rash can be covered, exclusion is not usually necessary. Contacts with a weak immune system or those who are pregnant should contact their GP to see if they need preventative treatment. |
Maladie de la joue giflée | 30% in families. 10-60% in schools. | None. | Avoid infection in pregnant women and people with a weak immune system. |
Oxyures | Until all worms are dead. | None. | Good hygiene helps. Case and family contacts should be treated. |
Angine | Risk is similar to other colds and flu | None | Most cases are viral and do not need antibiotics. |
Tuberculose* | Until 14th day of treatment. | Variable. Always consult the local health protection unit. | Public health should always be contacted - spread is most likely where there is prolonged close contact. |
None. | None. | Care needed with verrucas in swimming pools, gymnasiums and changing rooms. | |
Coqueluche* | Mainly early catarrhal stage, but until 4 weeks after onset of cough paroxysms. Shorten to 7 days if given antibiotics. | 48 hours from commencing antibiotic treatment, or 21 days from onset of illness if no antibiotic treatment. | Preventable by vaccination. Check immunisation of contacts. |
Sélections des patients pour Infections

Santé des enfants
Convulsion fébrile
Une convulsion fébrile est une crise qui survient chez certains enfants ayant une température élevée (fièvre). La grande majorité des convulsions fébriles ne sont pas graves. La plupart surviennent avec des maladies courantes bénignes. Un rétablissement complet sans dommage permanent est habituel. Le traitement principal vise la maladie qui a causé la fièvre.
par Dr Philippa Vincent, MRCGP

Santé des enfants
Poux de tête et lentes
Les poux de tête sont de petits insectes qui vivent dans les cheveux humains et se nourrissent de sang du cuir chevelu. Leurs œufs sont appelés lentes.
par Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP
Questions fréquemment posées
What is the recommended exclusion period for a child with Cryptosporidiosis from swimming activities?
A child with Cryptosporidiosis should be excluded from swimming for 14 days after their diarrhoea has settled.
Are there any specific precautions for pregnant women regarding Hand, Foot and Mouth disease?
Yes, pregnant women should avoid infection from Hand, Foot and Mouth disease. If a large number of children in a setting are affected, public health authorities may need to be contacted to consider exclusion measures.
What is the infectivity period for Rubella?
Rubella is infectious from one week before the onset of the rash until approximately four days after the rash appears.
How long is someone with Scarlet fever considered infectious after starting antibiotic treatment?
Someone with Scarlet fever is infectious for the first three days of treatment, but the exclusion period for school or nursery is 24 hours after commencing antibiotic treatment.
What is the typical exclusion period for a child with Shingles?
If the rash can be covered, exclusion is not usually necessary. However, contacts with a weak immune system or those who are pregnant should contact their GP to see if they need preventative treatment.
How long should a child with Threadworms be excluded from school or nursery?
There is no exclusion period for Threadworms. The child can return to school once all worms are dead. Good hygiene practices and treatment for both the case and family contacts are important.
How can Hepatitis B and C be transmitted in a childcare setting?
Hepatitis B and C are blood-borne viruses and are not infectious through casual contact. Childcare settings should have procedures in place for incidents involving blood spillage.
Lectures complémentaires et références
- Vaccination contre les maladies infectieuses - le Livre Vert (dernière édition); Agence de sécurité sanitaire du Royaume-Uni.
- Conseils sur le contrôle des infections dans les écoles et autres établissements de garde d'enfants; Agence de sécurité sanitaire du Royaume-Uni (septembre 2017 - dernière mise à jour février 2023)
- Health Prevention and Control in Childcare Settings (Day Care and Childminding Settings); Health Protection Scotland
- Infection Prevention and Control for Childcare Settings (0-5 years) Nurseries Child Minders and Playgroups; Public Health Wales. October 2024.
- Conseils sur le contrôle des infections dans les écoles et autres établissements de garde d'enfants; Health and Social Care Public Health Agency Northern Ireland (September 2024).
À propos de l'auteurVoir la biographie complète

Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP
Médecin généraliste, Auteur médical
MBBS, MRCGP, MRCP (Paediatrics), DCH
Le Dr Colin Tidy est un médecin du NHS, basé dans l'Oxfordshire.
À propos du critiqueVoir la biographie complète

Dr Doug McKechnie, MRCGP
Rédacteur Médical
MA, MBBS, MSc, DRCOG, MRCP(UK), MRCGP(2021), FHEA
Le Dr Doug McKechnie est un médecin généraliste du NHS travaillant à Londres. Il travaille à plein temps en clinique et est également le chef adjoint du module de Pratique Clinique et Professionnelle à l'École de Médecine de l'University College London.
Historique de l'article
Les informations sur cette page sont rédigées et examinées par des cliniciens qualifiés.
Article également disponible en Anglais, Allemand, Espagnol, Français, Italien, Portugais, Hindi, Hébreu, Arabe, and Suédois.
Prochaine révision prévue : 5 mars 2028
6 mars 2025 | Dernière version

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