Khushboo Malhotra
Just as India thought it was recovering after COVID-19, monkeypox, and several natural disasters, a new virus made its way into the country. Tomato Flu made its entrance amid India’s battle against the possibility of a fourth Covid wave.
Tomato Flu has already affected over 100 kids in various southern regions of the nation. Important to note is that most of the infected children are under the age of five.
While COVID-19 is still beleaguering the world, Tomato Flu, has been detected in India as a clinical variant of the already endemic Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD). Tomato Flu is a self-limiting infectious disease as the signs and symptoms resolve after a few days. The virus got its name from one telltale symptom—painful, bright red blisters that spread all over the body and can gradually grow to the size of a tomato.
Although Tomato Flu is contagious, thankfully it is not fatal. But how it spreads is still being investigated. Those infected with the disease complain of symptoms like red blisters on the skin, joint pain, fatigue, body aches and fever. Usually, children from 1 to 5 years of age with weak immunity become victims of the virus. That said, children under the age of 9 and immune-compromised adults are also prone.
The Kollam district of Kerala reported 82 cases of the disease among children under the age of five, according to the Union Health Ministry of India. The other affected districts are Anchal, Aryankavu, and Neduvathur. Despite the virus being rare, cases had been reported in three other states, including Tamil Nadu and Haryana. The Regional Medical Research Centre confirmed that 26 cases alone have been reported in Odisha in children between the ages of 1 and 9.
Causes and Symptoms
According to medics, this rare, endemic, viral infection currently does not threaten life, but vigilant management is required to keep it at bay.
Tomato Flu is contagious and spreads quickly in infants and children through close contact, such as through infected nappy use, touching dirty surfaces, playing together, and their propensity to put things into their mouths. It may not be a viral infection but a complication of dengue or chikungunya fever.
One of the predominant symptoms of Tomato Flu is tomato-like red blisters all over the body, particularly on the hands, feet, and oral cavity. Its primary symptoms resemble any other viral infection, such as fever, poor appetite, malaise, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, excessive fatigue, swelling of the joints, body aches, and a sore throat. One or two days after the fever rises, small red spots appear, which change into tomato-shaped blisters and skin rashes on several body parts and then into ulcers. The sores are usually on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks, palms, and soles.
It’s encouraged that infants and children (or any adults) who exhibit these symptoms undergo molecular and serological tests. Once dengue, hikungunya, Zika virus, varicella-zoster virus, and herpes get ruled out, a diagnosis of Tomato Flu will be considered.
Although Tomato Flu and COVID-19 share the same initial symptoms, Tomato Flu is unrelated to SARS-CoV-2. Because of its resemblance to HFMD, the Tomato Flu outbreak in youngsters might have catastrophic repercussions by spreading to adults if not controlled and prevented.
How To Diagnose?
In order to take preventative steps after an outbreak and the appearance of symptoms, testing needs to be done.
Regarding sample collection, the Health Ministry of India stated that one can take samples from the throat or nasopharynx within 48 hours after the illness. Additionally, a faecal sample should be collected for analysis within 48 hours of illness. Getting the lab results might take 2-4 weeks.
Treatment and Prevention
No antiviral drugs or vaccines are available for the treatment or prevention of Tomato Flu as of yet. Supportive therapy of paracetamol for fever and body ache and other symptomatic treatments is required. To better understand the need for prospective treatments, additional follow-up and monitoring of significant outcomes and repercussions are required.
The best way to prevent Tomato Flu is to maintain good hygiene and sanitization of your surroundings. Prevent the infected children from sharing toys, clothes, food, or other items with other non-infected children. Sterilize and disinfect all the things touched by the infected children.
To stop the virus from spreading to other children or adults with weak immunity, practise isolation for 5-7 days after the onset of any symptoms.
One must take plenty of rest and fluids to maintain hydration levels and body strength. A hot water sponge can help you soothe rashes and discomfort.
Avoid touching any red blisters or rashes you find on the body. Consult a doctor immediately and maintain any physical contact in such situations.
All necessary, regular vaccinations must be given to children to prevent the spread of such diseases.
Individuals with weak immune systems should take extra precautions. They should follow a balanced diet, take the suggested vitamins, and work to stay healthy and in shape.
Tomato Flu is said to be in an “endemic state” and is considered non-life-threatening, but considering the horrific COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative to stop recent outbreaks.
Featured image courtesy of Myriam Zilles on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license can be found here.
Khushboo Malhotra
Khushboo is a Twitter Editor at Empoword Journalism. She is an Award-nominated lifestyle and pop culture journalist, writer, and budding entrepreneur aiming to break down the boundaries of cultural stigma and shame attached to mental health and sexual health and bring marginalised topics to light. Send your stories, tips, and press announcements to khushboomalhotrafreelance@gmail.com