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In India, medical experts are battling the spread of yet another virus. According to a Lancet study published on Saturday, India has recorded 82 cases of tomato flu or tomato fever since the virus was first identified in Kerala on May 6.
According to the study, the common infectious disease that primarily affects children aged one to five years old and immunocompromised adults may be a new variant of hand, foot, and mouth disease. According to the study, some case studies have even shown hand, foot, and mouth disease in immunocompetent adults.
WHAT IS TOMATO FLU?
On May 6, 2022, the tomato flu was first identified in Kerala’s Kollam district. According to the study, the tomato flu virus exhibits symptoms similar to Covid-19, but it is unrelated to SARS-CoV-2. Tomato flu, rather than being a viral infection, could be a side effect of chikungunya or dengue fever in children.
The flu was named after the appearance of red and painful blisters all over the body, which gradually enlarge to the size of a tomato.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
The primary symptoms of tomato flu in children are similar to those of chikungunya, which include high fever, rashes, and severe joint pain. Some of its symptoms, such as body aches, fever, and fatigue, are comparable to those reported by Covid-19 patients. Joint swelling, nausea, diarrhoea, dehydration, joint aches, and a high fever are some of the other symptoms. Rashes on the skin were also reported by some patients in some cases.
Further symptoms include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, dehydration, joint swelling, body aches, and common influenza-like symptoms, which are similar to those seen with dengue.
DIAGNOSIS
Patients who exhibit the symptoms listed above should undergo molecular and serological testing to rule out dengue, chikungunya, zika virus, varicella-zoster virus, and herpes. Once these viral infections are ruled out, tomato virus infection is confirmed.
TREATMENT
Tomato flu treatment is similar to that of chikungunya, dengue, and hand, foot, and mouth disease. Patients are advised to isolate themselves, rest, drink plenty of fluids, and use a hot water sponge to relieve irritation and rashes.
“Supportive therapy of paracetamol for fever and bodyache and other symptomatic treatments are required”, said the study.
Source:IT
