Tomato Flu in India: Symptoms, causes, treatment, precautions and other details

A sudden spate of cases of a new fever affecting children below five years of age has been reported recently. According to media reports, many children below five years have been suffering from a rare kind of viral infection, called 'tomato flu'. Preliminary reports on infection stated that tomato flu is a rare kind of viral infection while ors have said that it is an aftereffect of dengue fever of chikungunya.

In recent weeks, Kerala has reported a sudden surge in cases of Tomato flu that is affecting children. According to reports, more than 80 children below age of five years have been suffering from a rare kind of viral infection while numbers are predicted to grow. infection is even obscure as exact cause of illness remains unspecified. 

What is Tomato Flu? 

It is a very common kind of fever wherein children below age of five years experience undiagnosed fever or fever chills. Usually, an infected child experiences rashes and skin irritation along with sense of dehydration; infection causes blisters on parts of body, too. shape of blisters is generally red and rashes are almost size of tomatoes, thus it is called "tomato flu" or "tomato fever". 

Known symptoms of 'Tomato fever'

1. Discolouration of hands and legs
2. Skin irritation
3. Tiredness and fatigue
4. Joint pain
5. Abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea
6. Coughing, sneezing, wheezing, or runny nose
7. High fever
8. Body aches

Prevention of tomato flu

While health officials claim virus is not lethal and could be treated, here are some ways to prevent this virus:

1. Do not scratch blisters
2. Stay hydrated by drinking boiled water
3. Maintain personal hygiene & clean surroundings
4. Avoid close contact with tomato flu-infected person
5. Use warm or lukewarm water for bathing
6. Take sufficient rest to avoid long-lasting effect of tomato flu

Tomato flu treatment

As tomato flu is similar to symptoms of chikungunya, dengue and hand, foot, and mouth disease, treatment for contagious infection is also similar.

Patients are vised to isolate, rest, and drink plenty of fluids. A hot water sponge is vised for relief of irritation and rashes.

States infected with Tomato Flu

viral infection is also reported to have spre to neighbouring states of Kerala, namely Tamil Nu and Karnataka. ditionally, in state of Odisha as many as 26 children below age of 10 years have also been diagnosed with Tomato Flu, as stated by Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar. Similar to or s of influenza, tomato flu is very contagious; however, it is considered non-life-threatening.