Tomato Flu Outbreak – Things to know
Tomato Flu Outbreak in India: Latest Update, Table of content, What is tomato flu, How does it spread, what are the symptoms, Is it lethal, cause, Treatment, Vaccination, Conclusion.
Latest Update
Cases of tomato flu are on the rise in India; over 4 states reported 100 patients, 82 of which are children below 5 years of age. The viral infection (rare) is an endemic condition and is considered non-life-threatening.
It started first in the Kollam district of Kerala – May 6, 2022, then spread next to Tamil Nādu and to Odisha.
What is tomato flu?
It’s a rare viral infection with tomato-like blisters and mainly occurs in children. This can be an after-effect of chikungunya and dengue fever in children, other than a viral infection. But scientists are still debating that it may be some rare enterovirus. Or after covid Covid pandemic, we are paying more attention to this.
Tomato flu is named because of the eruptions of red and painful blisters all over the body. It gradually enlarges to the size of a tomato. Many of these blisters resemble those seen with the monkeypox virus initially.
How does it Spread?
It spreads from close contact, touching, and by sharing toys, food, clothes, or other items with other healthy children.
What are the symptoms?
- Tomato like blisters
- High Fever
- Body ache
- Joint swelling
- Vomiting
Although the tomato flu virus has similar symptoms to COVID-19 and chikungunya, including high fever, rashes, and intense joint pain. Or it may be like a new variant of the viral hand, foot, & mouth disease, a common infectious disease targeting primarily children aged 1–5 years.
Is it Lethal?
No, it’s a self-limiting disease, and no specific drug exists to treat it.
Cause of Tomato flu?
Debate is still on among scientists regarding what is the real cause. It may be an post viral effect of chikungunya or dengue fever in children or some enterococcal virus.
So it is a diagnosis of exclusion. Molecular and serological tests are done to diagnose dengue, Zika virus, chikungunya, , varicella-zoster virus, and herpes.
If all comes negative, then it’s confirmed as tomato flu.
Treatment.
- Isolation 5-7 days
- Rest, Sanitization & maintain hygiene.
- Plenty of fluids.
- Stop sharing items mostly with children.
- Hot water bath or sponge for the pain relief of irritation and rashes.
- Supportive therapy of paracetamol for fever and body aches.
- Other symptomatic treatments are required.
Conclusion
Children are always at increased risk of getting sick to tomato flu as other viral infections are known to be common in this specefic age group, and spread is likely through close contact.
Small children are also prone to this infection by using nappies, touching unclean surfaces, and put things directly into their mouth.
Given these similarities to hand, foot, & mouth disease, if the outbreak of tomato flu in children is not controlled and prevented, its transmission might lead to severe consequences by spreading in adults.
As of now, no antiviral drugs or vaccines are available for the treatment or prevention of tomato flu.
<<Credit- most of information is taken from Lancet >>
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