Infectious Diseases At A Glance

Infectious Diseases At A Glance

At-a-glance information on a range of childhood infections - how they are spread, early symptoms, time between exposure and sickness, exclusion from school and day care.

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Brief answers to your questions about common infectious diseases

See the Ministry of Health's HealthEd website for at-a-glance information on a range of childhood infections. The chart shows:

  • how each infection is spread
  • early symptoms
  • time between exposure and sickness
  • for how long children should be excluded from kindergarten, daycare or school

Thumbnail image of chart

The conditions covered are:

  • campylobacter
  • chickenpox
  • conjunctivitis (viral or bacterial)
  • cryptosporidium
  • gastroenteritis (viral)
  • giardia
  • glandular fever
  • hand, foot and mouth disease
  • hepatitis A
  • hepatitis B 
  • impetigo (school sores)
  • influenza
  • measles 
  • meningitis (meningococcal)
  • mumps 
  • ringworm
  • rubella 
  • salmonella
  • scabies
  • streptococcal sore throat
  • slapped cheek (human parvovirus infection)
  • whooping cough 
External links and downloads

Campylobacter (HealthEd website, Ministry of Health)

Information on preventing the food and waterborne disease campylobacter. The disease is caused by bacteria in the gut of various birds and animals, and transmitted to people via contaminated water and food or from contact with infected animals or humans. The pamphlet also has information on e.coli and salmonella.

Cryptosporidium and giardia (HealthEd website, Ministry of Health)

Information on preventing the food and waterborne diseases cryptosporidium and giardia. These diseases are caused by a parasite in the gut of various birds, fish, reptiles and animals, and transmitted to people via contaminated water and food or from contact with infected animals or humans.

Hepatitis B (HealthEd website, Ministry of Health)

  • hepatitis B information for pregnant women (including protecting your baby from hepatitis B with immunisation)
  • hepatitis B personal record - a record of the immunisation schedule for babies exposed to the hepatitis B virus for health professionals to update at each immunisation visit

Rubella and women (HealthEd website, Ministry of Health)

Information about the risks of rubella (German measles) in pregnancy to the unborn child.

Scabies (HealthEd website, Ministry of Health)

Information about the treatment and prevention of scabies, including 'how to get rid of scabies' in diagrams. View the pamphlet (PDF, 508KB).

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This page last reviewed 22 April 2020.

Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 any time of the day or night for free health advice when you need it