Isolation
Isolation
- Isolation is defined as “separation. for the period of communicability of infected person or animals from others in such places under such conditions, as to prevent or limit the direct or indirect transmission of the infectious agent from those infected to those who are susceptible, or who may spread the agent to others”.
- In simple words “Isolation separates those who are already ill or infected from those who are not for the period of communicability”.
- Isolation has a distinctive value in the control of some infectious diseases, e.g.,
- diphtheria, cholera, streptococcal respiratory disease, pneumonic plague.
- Isolation is strictly recommended for pneumonic plague
- In some diseases where there is a large component of subclinical infection and carrier state, even the most rigid isolation will not prevent the spread of disease, e.g.
- polio, hepatitis and typhoid fever.
Why would people be placed in isolation?
- Isolating sick people prevents the spread or transmission of disease to susceptible hosts.
Where would sick people be isolated?
- The location of isolation depends on how sick the person is. Isolation might take place at home, but if the illness is more serious or if the patient is already hospitalized, isolation might take place in the hospital.
How long would people be isolated?
- The duration of isolation will depend on the severity of illness and how quickly individual recovers. o It is usually for the period of communicability.
Periods of isolation recommended
|
Disease |
Duration of isolation |
|
Chickenpox |
Until all lesions cursted; usually about 6 days after onset of rash |
|
Measles |
From the onset of catarrhal stage through 3rd day of rash |
|
German measles |
None , except that women in the first trimester or sexually active, non-immune women in childbearing years not using contraceptive measures should not be exposed. |
|
Cholera, diphtheria |
3 days after tetracyclines started, until 48 hours of antibiotics (or negative culturesafter treatment) |
|
Shigellosis |
Until 3 consecutive negative stool cultures. |
|
Salmonellosis |
3 |
|
Hepatitis A |
3 weeks |
|
Influenza |
3 days after onset |
|
Polio |
2 weeks adult, 6 weeks paediatric. |
|
Tuberculosis |
Until 3 weeks of effective chemotherapy (sputum +) |
|
Herpes zoster |
6 days after onset of rash |
|
Mumps |
Until swelling subsides |
|
Pertussis |
4 weeks or until paroxysms cease Meningococcal |
|
meningitis |
Until the first 6 hours of effective |
|
Streptococcal |
antibiotic therapy are completed Pharyngitis |
- Isolation has failed in the control of disease such as leprosy, TB & STD. In the control of these diseases, the concept of physical isolation has been replaced by chemical isolation, i.e., rapid treatment of cases in their own-homes and rendering them non-infectious as quickly as possible.
- “Isolation separates those who are already ill or infected from those who are not for the period of communicability”.
- For which diseases isolation is beneficial?
- Isolation has a distinctive value in the control of some infectious diseases, e.g.,
- diphtheria, cholera, streptococcal respiratory disease, pneumonic plague.
- Isolation is strictly recommended for pneumonic plague
- In some diseases where there is a large component of subclinical infection and carrier state, even the most rigid isolation will not prevent the spread of disease, e.g.
- polio, hepatitis and typhoid fever.
Periods of isolation recommended
|
Disease |
Duration of isolation |
|
Chickenpox |
Until all lesions cursted; usually about 6 days after onset of rash |
|
Measles |
From the onset of catarrhal stage through 3rd day of rash |
|
German measles |
None , except that women in the first trimester or sexually active, non-immune women in childbearing years not using contraceptive measures should not be exposed. |
|
Cholera, diphtheria |
3 days after tetracyclines started, until 48 hours of antibiotics (or negative cultures after treatment) |
|
Shigellosis |
Until 3 consecutive negative stool cultures. |
|
Salmonellosis |
3 |
|
Hepatitis A |
3 weeks |
|
Influenza |
3 days after onset |
|
Polio |
2 weeks adult, 6 weeks paediatric. |
|
Tuberculosis |
Until 3 weeks of effective chemotherapy (sputum +) |
|
Herpes zoster |
6 days after onset of rash |
|
Mumps |
Until swelling subsides |
|
Pertussis |
4 weeks or until paroxysms cease Meningococcal |
|
meningitis |
Until the first 6 hours of effective |
|
Streptococcal |
antibiotic therapy are completed Pharyngitis |
