Parents Beware! Another Contagious Disease 'Tomato Flu' is Spreading in India; Check its Symptoms

Another contagious disease known as "tomato flu" or "tomato fever" is wreaking havoc in India at a time when the country is already fighting with Monkeypox and Covid-19. The flu is now present in Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Kerala. According to media sources, there have been a total of 100 cases in children under the age of five documented in the nation. On May 6, the Kollam district of Kerala reported its first case of tomato flu.

Furthermore, 26 instances of tomato flu in children in the age range of 1 to 9 years were recorded by the Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar in Odisha. Beyond the four states and one union territory stated above, there have been no cases of this disease reported to date.

What is the Tomato Fever?

It is believed to be a clinical variant of hand, foot, and mouth disease and is brought on by enteroviruses (HFMD). The name "flu" comes from the tomato-shaped blisters that develop on the body when it infects.

Symptoms of Tomato Fever

Dehydration, skin irritation, and rashes or blisters are all symptoms of the flu. Other signs of fever include joint swelling, red patches on the hands and legs, fatigue, and nausea. The blisters mimic those observed in young people who have the monkeypox virus.

Children are more likely to be exposed to tomato flu since it is more likely to transmit through close contact and viral infections are widespread in this age group, according to a Lancet report.

Children may contract the disease by contacting contaminated surfaces, putting objects in their mouths, exchanging toys, clothes, food, and other items with an infected child, or by touching filthy surfaces.

It should be noted, though, that while Covid-19 and tomato flu shares certain symptoms, they are unrelated. According to the Lancet article, "both are initially accompanied by fever, exhaustion, and body aches, and some patients with Covid-19 also develop skin rashes, (but) the virus is not connected to SARS-CoV-2."

The main signs and symptoms of tomato flu in children are high fever, rashes, and excruciating joint pain, which are also characteristics of chikungunya.

Is this virus deadly?

The disease known as tomato fever is self-limiting and not life-threatening. There are currently no effective medications or vaccinations on the market to treat the illness.

Because dengue, chikungunya, hand, foot, and mouth illness, and tomato flu are similar, so too is their treatment: rest, isolation, lots of fluids, and a hot water sponge for rashes and discomfort.

The Lancet article states that "Supportive therapy with paracetamol for fever and body ache and other symptomatic therapies are required." To better understand the requirement for potential treatments, additional follow-up and monitoring for dire effects are required.