While India is still struggling to deal with the global COVID-19 pandemic, with fresh cases resurfacing across the country, there is another scare being reported – the tomato flu. It is a rare viral disease that is rapidly infecting children in India. Apparently, the infection is known to affect children more than adults.
This blog details everything about this rare disease, its common symptoms and possible treatment options. Read ahead.
What is tomato flu?
As mentioned above, tomato flu is a rare disease that is spread by a virus, which causes red spots on the body. These spots appear in the color and shape of a tomato, hence the name. Tomato flu is also known by another name – tomato fever. Note that both symptoms and treatment of tomato flu are similar to dengue fever or chikungunya.
Tomato fever was reported in Kerala and Odisha states in May this year in India. In fact, tomato flu cases were on the rise in Kerala forcing the state to implement strict checks on the entry of visitors from other parts of the country. This disease affects young children aged 1 to 9 years.
Is tomato flu the same as hand, foot and mouth disease?
The red spots or blisters that appear on the child’s body look similar to the blisters that appear in the case of hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD). Hence, tomato flu can sometimes be confused for HFMD. In fact, tomato fever is a form or variation of HFM disease commonly seen in young children. Both of these infections affect children more than adults because of their weak immune system, which makes it difficult to fight off these diseases.
Symptoms of tomato flu virus
How to identify this rare disease in children? Here are some of the most common tomato flu symptoms to look for in your child:
- Skin irritation or itching: This is usually the very first symptom you may start to notice. The child may experience severe itching of the skin and tends to scratch the body continuously. This is before the rash or blisters appear.
- Fever: Along with itching, the child may also develop a temperature, both mild and high. Note that sometimes there may be only fever without any signs of itching.
- Body Pain: Some older children may complain of body aches; However, young children cannot express it clearly. If the baby cries continuously and moves around even while sleeping in the bed, it is possible that he is suffering from body pain.
- Blisters: Within a day or two of developing the itch and/or fever, the child will begin to develop a red rash on the palms, soles, and buttocks. These are the common areas where rashes are most common. They soon begin to develop into tomato-shaped blisters that may or may not be painful. In case of pain, consult your child’s pediatrician.
- Mouth ulcers: The child also develops sores like ulcers inside the mouth which are also very painful. This will prevent the child from eating anything or even drinking at times. Some children may be more comfortable with a liquid diet for a few days until the painful sores heal, while some others may not even drink water. It is also common for the baby to lose appetite during this time.
- Fatigue: The child may also begin to feel overly tired or fatigued.
- Swelling of the joints: This is another symptom of tomato flu; Some children may experience mild swelling in their joints which can cause pain.
Causes of tomato flu
Now let’s understand what exactly tomato flu is. Numerous health experts around the world are expressing concern over this rapidly spreading rare viral disease. However, none of them could find the true cause of tomato fever.
So far, all that is known is that the disease is caused by a virus called Coxsackievirus. The virus is commonly seen in young children, mostly up to 5 years of age. The disease is highly contagious and can easily spread from one infected child to another by touching or sitting and playing close to each other.
In addition, young children are also prone to catch the virus from unsanitary surfaces such as dirty floors, putting dirty objects in their mouths, etc. Experts also say that while the exact cause of tomato flu has yet to be discovered, it certainly appears to be a variation of the otherwise common hand, foot and mouth disease.
How can tomato flu be treated?
We discussed the common symptoms of the disease and what could be the possible causes. Now let’s discuss how tomato fever can be treated.
Doctors say that this infection is like any other viral flu and hence can be easily treated at home without the need of any medicine. The only point to remember is that the child should be isolated as this disease is highly contagious in children. The child should not be sent to school for at least a week or until he feels completely better.
Also, the treatment of tomato flu is similar to the treatment followed for dengue or chikungunya as the symptoms of all of them are quite similar. To treat chakma, the patient is advised to take plenty of fluids and a warm water sponge every day.
No specific medication is prescribed for tomato flu; In case of fever, the child can be given paracetamol at an interval of 6 hours. In cases of severe itching, your child’s pediatrician may prescribe an ointment to reduce skin irritation. Also, make sure that the child does not peel the blisters. They should dry up on their own and go away within a few days, after which new skin will appear.
Can tomato fever be prevented?
This rare viral disease usually breeds in dirty and unsanitary environments. So, make sure to sanitize all areas of your home and keep all surrounding areas clean and hygienic at all times. Also, if a child becomes infected, he should be isolated to prevent further spread of the disease to other children. Avoid sharing soap, clothes, toys and other common items of an infected child between siblings.
conclusion
Tomato flu is a rare viral disease, however, can be treated at home without the need for more medication. However, many more serious viruses and infectious diseases are on the rise in India and other parts of the world, most of which also infect children. Monkeypox is an example.
Therefore, it is always a good idea to protect your family’s health and ensure that you have adequate expense coverage in case of any unforeseen illnesses. Buy a health insurance plan. Get health insurance for you and your family today and be stress free from the thought of spending on healthcare expenses with increasing diseases.
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