Slapped cheek syndrome: Symptoms include distinctive facial rash - Express

Slapped cheek syndrome is a common and highly contagious childhood illness. It is named after the distinctive face rash that develops. The infection does not usually present signs or symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they vary greatly depending on how old you are when you get the disease.

Early signs and symptoms in children may include:

• Fever
• Upset stomach
• Headache
• Runny nose.

According to the Mayo Clinic, several days after the appearance of early symptoms, "a distinctive bright red rash may appear on your child's face — usually on both cheeks".

The rash, which may come and go for up to three weeks, becomes more "visible" when your child is exposed to extreme temperatures or spends time in the sun, the health body explains.

It adds: "It's possible to mistake the rash for other viral rashes or a medicine-related rash."

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You should also take paracetamol or ibuprofen for a high temperature, headaches or joint pain, the health body says.

It also says to:

• Use moisturiser on itchy skin
• Speak to a pharmacist about itchy skin – they can recommend the best antihistamine for children.

Do not give aspirin to children under 16, adds the NHS.

Also, "tell your midwife or a GP if you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system and have been near someone with slapped cheek syndrome".

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