Common Communicable Diseases Your Child Can Get at School
Quick Answer: Schools are hotbeds for spreading infections - hand-foot-mouth disease, conjunctivitis (pink eye), head lice, flu, chickenpox, and stomach bugs are most common. Good hygiene is your best defense: teach handwashing, don’t share personal items, and keep sick children home. Most school illnesses are mild and self-limiting, but know when to see a doctor. Vaccination prevents the most serious diseases.
Why Schools Spread Illness
Schools create perfect conditions for disease spread:
- Many children in close contact
- Shared surfaces and objects
- Developing immune systems
- Children touch faces frequently
- May not practice good hygiene
Reality check: Your child WILL get sick from school. It’s normal - they’re building immunity. Most illnesses are mild. Focus on prevention and knowing when to worry.
Most Common School Illnesses
1. Common Cold
What it is: Viral upper respiratory infection
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | Runny nose, cough, sore throat, mild fever |
| Contagious period | 1-2 days before symptoms to 5-7 days after |
| Duration | 7-10 days |
| Treatment | Rest, fluids, symptom relief |
When to see doctor: Fever lasting >3 days, difficulty breathing, ear pain
2. Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (HFMD)
What it is: Viral illness (usually Coxsackie virus)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | Fever, painful mouth sores, rash on hands/feet |
| Contagious period | Most contagious first week; can shed virus for weeks |
| Duration | 7-10 days |
| Treatment | Pain relief, fluids, cold foods |
When to see doctor: Unable to drink due to mouth pain, high fever, dehydration signs
3. Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
What it is: Infection or inflammation of eye membrane
| Type | Cause | Appearance | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viral | Virus | Clear discharge, itchy | Self-limiting |
| Bacterial | Bacteria | Thick yellow/green discharge | Antibiotic drops |
| Allergic | Allergens | Both eyes, itchy | Antihistamines |
When to see doctor: Yellow/green discharge, pain, vision changes, infant under 3 months
4. Gastroenteritis (Stomach Bug)
What it is: Infection causing vomiting and/or diarrhea
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever |
| Contagious period | While symptomatic + 24-48 hours after |
| Duration | 1-3 days (vomiting), 5-7 days (diarrhea) |
| Treatment | Rehydration (ORS), bland diet |
When to see doctor: Blood in stool, signs of dehydration, fever >3 days, can’t keep fluids down
5. Head Lice
What it is: Tiny insects that live on scalp
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | Itchy scalp, visible nits (eggs), live lice |
| Contagious period | While lice are present |
| Duration | Until treated |
| Treatment | Medicated shampoo + nit combing |
Important: Lice don’t mean poor hygiene! They prefer clean hair. Don’t panic.
6. Chickenpox (Varicella)
What it is: Highly contagious viral illness
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | Fever, itchy rash (blisters), fatigue |
| Contagious period | 1-2 days before rash until all blisters crust |
| Duration | 5-10 days |
| Treatment | Symptom relief, calamine lotion |
Prevention: Varicella vaccine (2 doses)
When to see doctor: High fever, rash spreads to eyes, signs of infection, infant under 1 year
7. Influenza (Flu)
What it is: Respiratory viral infection (not a “stomach flu”)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | High fever, body aches, headache, cough, fatigue |
| Contagious period | 1 day before to 5-7 days after symptoms |
| Duration | 5-7 days (fatigue may last longer) |
| Treatment | Rest, fluids; antivirals in some cases |
Prevention: Annual flu vaccine
When to see doctor: Difficulty breathing, persistent fever, symptoms worsen after improving
8. Strep Throat
What it is: Bacterial throat infection
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | Severe sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes, NO cough |
| Contagious period | Until 24 hours on antibiotics |
| Duration | Improves within 24-48 hours of antibiotics |
| Treatment | Antibiotics (necessary to prevent complications) |
When to see doctor: Severe sore throat + fever - needs testing
Prevention Strategies
Teach Good Hygiene
| Habit | How to Teach |
|---|---|
| Handwashing | 20 seconds with soap; sing ABC song |
| Cough/sneeze etiquette | Into elbow, not hands |
| Don’t share | Water bottles, utensils, combs |
| Keep hands off face | Harder but important |
| Tissue use | Use and throw immediately |
Boost Immunity
- Balanced diet - Fruits, vegetables, protein
- Adequate sleep - Age-appropriate hours
- Physical activity - Daily outdoor play
- Vaccinations - Up to date
- Reduce stress - Affects immune function
At Home
- Stay home when sick - Until fever-free 24 hours
- Clean high-touch surfaces - Doorknobs, light switches
- Separate sick family member - When possible
- Don’t send sick children to school - It spreads illness
When to Keep Your Child Home
Keep Home If:
- Fever (above 37.5°C or 99.5°F)
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Severe cough or cold symptoms
- Pink eye with discharge
- Undiagnosed rash
- Too tired to participate
Can Return to School When:
| Illness | Can Return |
|---|---|
| Fever | Fever-free 24 hours (without medication) |
| Vomiting/diarrhea | No episodes for 24 hours |
| Pink eye (bacterial) | 24 hours after starting antibiotics |
| Strep throat | 24 hours after starting antibiotics |
| Chickenpox | All blisters have crusted over |
| Head lice | After first treatment |
| HFMD | When fever-free and sores are healing |
Vaccination: Your Best Defense
Vaccines prevent the most serious communicable diseases:
| Vaccine | Prevents |
|---|---|
| MMR | Measles, Mumps, Rubella |
| Varicella | Chickenpox |
| DTaP/Tdap | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis |
| Flu | Influenza (annual) |
| Pneumococcal | Pneumonia, meningitis |
| Hepatitis A | Hepatitis A |
Important: Keep vaccinations up to date. Vaccines protect your child AND other children who can’t be vaccinated.
When to See a Doctor
Seek Care If:
- Fever lasting more than 3 days
- Fever above 39°C (102.2°F) in any child
- Any fever in infant under 3 months
- Signs of dehydration
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Severe sore throat with difficulty swallowing
- Rash that doesn’t blanch when pressed
- Symptoms worsening after initial improvement
- Child seems very unwell (you know your child best)
Emergency Signs
Go to ER if:
- Struggling to breathe
- Blue lips or face
- Can’t wake child or very drowsy
- Stiff neck with fever
- Seizure
- Severe allergic reaction
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My child keeps getting sick from school. Is something wrong with their immune system?
A: Probably not. Children in daycare/school get 8-12 colds per year on average! Each infection builds immunity. If your child recovers normally between illnesses and is growing well, their immune system is working fine.
Q: Should I give antibiotics for every illness?
A: No! Most school illnesses are viral and don’t respond to antibiotics. Unnecessary antibiotics contribute to resistance and can cause side effects. Only use when prescribed for bacterial infections.
Q: How do I tell if it’s viral or bacterial?
A: Often you can’t without testing. Generally, viral infections cause runny nose, cough, and low fever. Bacterial infections may cause higher fever, localized symptoms (ear pain, severe sore throat), and may not improve after 7-10 days.
Q: My child had an illness and now it’s come back. Why?
A: Either it’s a new illness (schools have many viruses circulating), or a secondary bacterial infection developed. See your doctor if symptoms return after improvement or last longer than expected.
Q: Can I do anything to make my child get sick less often?
A: Focus on: handwashing, adequate sleep, healthy diet, and keeping up with vaccines. Beyond that, getting sick is normal and actually trains the immune system. Frequency decreases as children get older.
Key Takeaways
- School illnesses are normal - 8-12 colds per year is typical
- Most are viral - Will resolve without antibiotics
- Handwashing is #1 - Teach and reinforce good hygiene
- Keep sick kids home - Until fever-free 24 hours
- Vaccinate - Prevents the most serious diseases
- Know when to worry - High fever, dehydration, breathing trouble
- Build immunity naturally - Good sleep, diet, and outdoor play
This article was reviewed by pediatricians at Babynama. Last updated: January 2026
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