Tomato flu or tomato fever is a rare viral disease-causing skin irritation, dehydration, and rashes that affects children mainly under the age of 5.
The tomato flu was first identified in the Kollam district of Kerala on May 6, 2022, and as of July 26, 2022, more than 82 children younger than 5 years with the infection have been reported by the local government hospitals.
Causes - It is caused by viruses from the enterovirus genus, most commonly the coxsackievirus.
The primary symptoms are fever, rashes &intense pain in joint.
Tomato flu is named on the basis of the eruption of red and painful blisters throughout the body. These blisters are similar to those seen with the monkeypox virus in young individuals.
Other symptoms -
Fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, dehydration, swelling of joints, body aches, and common influenza-like
symptoms.
Children are at increased risk of exposure to tomato flu as viral infections are common in this age group and spread is likely to be through close contact.
Prevention -
Similar to other types of influenza, tomato flu is verycontagious.
-
Treatment is mandatory to follow careful isolation of confirmed or suspected cases and other precautionary steps to prevent the outbreak of the tomato flu virus.
-
Isolation should be followed for 5–7 days from symptom onset to prevent the spread of infection to other children or adults.
-
Maintain proper hygiene and sanitization of the surrounding necessities and environment
-
Prevent the infected child from sharing toys, clothes, food, or other items with other non-infected children.
Treatment:
Since the symptoms of tomato fever are similar to those of dengue or chikungunya, the treatment technique is also similar.
The treatment of tomato flu includes isolation, rest, plenty of fluids, & hot water sponge for the relief of irritation & rashes.
No antiviral drugs or vaccines are available for the treatment or prevention of tomato flu.
Further research and investigations are needed to understand the need for potential treatments.
MBH/PS