A pupil is recovering at home today after contracting tuberculosis.

The Year 7 student sparked a health alert when medics discovered signs of the contagious and potentially-fatal condition early this week.

Eleven and 12-year-olds at Littlehampton Community College have been screened for the illness but no other cases have been discovered.

The pupil has returned from a London hospital and is continuing to receive antibiotics.

Experts in communicable diseases will give advice on spotting the illness and reassure parents today at the school, which has sent out 2,000 letters explaining what has happened. Headteacher Jayne Wilson said: "A meeting for concerned parents has been arranged for today when experts will be available to answer any concerns.

"I am very confident everything has been done to support all our students and staff.

"I have been informed that guidelines for the control and prevention of TB state clearly that children are rarely a source of infection.

"The likelihood of other students being infected is very low. TB is much less infectious than measles.

"As a matter of precaution we will be making sure all Year 7 students are screened and we will also do their BCG vaccinations at the same time."

TB is usually spread through prolonged close contact with someone who has the illness.

It can present itself as an infection or a disease depending on whether the tuberculosis bacterium is active or inactive.

People with tuberculosis disease are contagious because the bacterium is active. They may experience nausea, tiredness, rapid weight loss, fever, night sweats, a cough and chest pain.

The screening will consist of a brief questionnaire and a Heaf test, which is examined a week later.

Those with a negative test will be offered a BCG vaccination.

If the skin test is positive then further investigations may be recommended although most people with a positive skin test do not have TB.

There is a highly effective treatment for tuberculosis that results in a complete cure if it is taken and completed as instructed.

A West Sussex County Council spokeswoman said: "The pupil is receiving treatment and will make a full recovery.

"Letters have been sent to all parents with a consent form attached so children can be tested. However, it is unlikely that the disease has spread."

Anyone requiring further information about TB should ring NHS Direct on 08454647.