Meningitis

Your child is required to remain home.

Cause/Symptoms:

• Bacteria or virus
  
• Young children may show a cluster of symptoms such as irritability, poor feeding, vomiting, fever, rash and excessive high-pitched crying
  
• Older children and adults may experience severe persistent headache
  

Transmission:

• Varies depending on cause of meningitis
  

Incubation:

• Varies depending on cause of meningitis
  

Period of Communicability:

• Varies depending on cause of meningitis
  

We can discuss your child's return to daycare once all the following criteria has been met:

• Your case has been discussed with Ottawa Public Health
  
• A letter from Ottawa Public Health is required stating your child can return to daycare
  
• Your child is eating and drinking normally
  
• Your child can participate in all daycare activities
  
• At least 24 hrs after rash is gone
  
• The daycare vomiting policy has been followed
  
• The daycare fever policy has been followed
  
• Once your child is no-longer doing the excessive high-pitched cry
  

The length of time your child is required to remain home will depend on the type of Meningitis they have and how long it takes Ottawa Public Health to clear your child for daycare.