Rash signs alert (From Penarth Times)

Rash signs alert

PUPILS at two Penarth schools have been warned to stay away from the classroom if they show signs of a contagious rash believed to be slapped cheek disease.

The condition, also known as fifth disease, has the potential to cause health problems for pregnant women.

Pupils at St Cyres Comprehensive School and Cogan Primary took letters home last week telling their parents that they should not attend school if they had an infection with symptoms like those of the disease.

Symptoms of the condition are red spots and itching skin with the classic "slapped cheek" appearance.

In a letter to parents, Dr Gwen Lowe, a consultant in communicable disease control at the National Public Health Service for Wales, said: "A number of children have been reported to us with a very mild illness, with symptoms of red itchy cheeks and a slight rash on either arm or a leg.

"These children have remained well and appear to have no other symptoms.

"The most likely diagnosis is a mild seasonal viral illness and samples have been sent from some children to help us identify the cause of this problem.

"If your child is unwell or has a significant rash, it is important that you do not send him or her to school until their symptoms have disappeared."

Experts at the National Public Health Service for Wales believe the rash is slapped cheek disease - but this has yet to be confirmed.

Brian Lightman, headteacher at St Cyres, said: "Apart from the rash, we have been hit by a nasty flu-type bug in recent weeks which has reduced our attendance by around 30 percent."