Some Definitions:

Incubation Period: Time between exposure to the infection and beginning of symptoms.

Contagious Period: Time when a child's illness could be caught by others. Ear infections, sinus infections, urinary tract infections and pneumonia are not contagious.

DISEASE	INCUBATION PERIOD (DAYS)	CONTAGIOUS PERIOD
Chicken Pox	14-16	2 days before rash until all sores have crusts
Fifth Disease	10-14	7 days before rash until rash begins
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease	3-6	Onset of mouth ulcers until fever is gone
Impetigo	2-5	Onset of sores until 1 day on antibiotic
Lice	7	Onset of itch until 1 treatment
Colds	2-5	Onset of runny nose until fever is gone
Flu	1-2	Onset of cough until fever is gone
Sore/Strep Throat	2-5	Onset of sore throat until 1 day on antibiotic
Meningitis	2-10	7 days before symptoms until 1 day on antibiotics in hospital
Pinkeye with Pus	2-7	Onset of pus until 1 day on antibiotic eyedrops