Tomato Flu | IAS GYAN

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Context

A new infection dubbed tomato flu, or tomato fever, has been detected in India mostly among children younger than five, according to a report in the Lancet Respiratory Journal.

What is Tomato Flu?

Tomato Flu is a rare viral disease, which causes red-coloured rashes, skin irritation and dehydration, and the disease gets its name from the blisters it causes, which look like tomatoes. It is a form of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).
The ‘tomato flu’ is caused by Coxsackie virus A 16. It belongs to Enterovirus family. Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a frequent febrile rash illness of childhood caused by enteroviruses (EV): Coxsackie A16 (CA16), EV A71, Coxsackie A6, Coxsackie B and Echo viruses.

Vulnerability

Till now, most of the reported cases of Tomato Flu or Tomato Fever are among children from age 1-9.
The illness is rare in adults as they usually have immune systems strong enough to defend them from the virus.
Tomato flu is very contagious and children are at an increased risk of exposure as viral infections are common in this age group and the spread is likely to be through close contact.
Young children are also prone to this infection through the use of nappies, touching unclean surfaces, and putting things directly into the mouth.

Primary symptoms

The primary symptoms of tomato flu are similar to those of chikungunya, which include high fever, rashes, and intense pain in the joints. As with other viral infections, further symptoms include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, swelling of joints, body aches, and common influenza-like symptoms, which are similar to those manifested in dengue.

Treatment

The Tomato Flu or Tomato Fever is a self-limiting one and there are no specific drugs for it.
As tomato flu is similar to chikungunya and dengue as well as hand, foot, and mouth disease, the treatment is also similar — isolation, rest, plenty of fluids, and hot water sponge for the relief of irritation and rashes.
Supportive therapy of paracetamol for fever and body ache and other symptomatic treatments may be required.

How to prevent Tomato Flu?

Sanitization and hygienic surroundings are a must to stop the spread of Tomato Flu or Tomato Fever. Infected children must be kept in isolation till the symptoms have subsided completely and sharing of food, toys, clothes and other items must be prevented. Infected children should avoid touching or scratching the blisters.