Health

Doctors say tomato flu may be linked to new virus Advise parents to observe children

Today (29 August 2022) Special Associate Professor Warunee Phanpanich Wanderpitt infectious disease pediatrician Queen Sirikit National Institute of Children’s Health or Children’s Hospital (Hospital) said the case of Tomato Flu, which was recently found to have infected children in India, that the situation is not yet clear. which Thailand is still waiting to follow data from India Initially found that since May By the end of July 2022, India had 82 cases, but clear data was found from specific tests. making it possible to know that 2 brothers who traveled from India to England have a history of touching children with similar symptoms The results of the virus test of these two children revealed that it was Coxsackie A16 (Coxsackie A16), which is a disease that is different from hand, foot and mouth disease. Tomato flu virus It is linked to hand, foot and mouth disease.

“For symptoms related to tomato flu, such as fever, rash on the body But it will look like a blister that is larger than hand, foot, mouth disease, joint pain, swelling, and the blister will look red. It’s a lump like a tomato. Initially found that The symptoms are not severe and can be cured. Treatment is symptomatic. by the situation in the Children’s Hospital from the patient screening No children were found to be ill with indications of tomato flu. But found that children with lower respiratory tract diseases such as pneumonia and pneumonia increased. including hand, foot and mouth disease,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Warunee.

Special Assoc. Prof. Dr. Warunee said that Factors causing global surveillance of tomato flu This is because the symptoms of tomato flu are different from hand, foot and mouth disease, because the symptoms may be related to other diseases such as COVID-19. found that other diseases that is different from the original and has been linked to altered immune responses, such as Mis-C or acute complication or severe hepatitis. This is similar to the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. Two years later, children develop unexplained severe hepatitis, spreading for a few more years. When infected with the Spanish flu The remains can stay in the colon for another 4 months, resulting in a change in the immune system. which results in disease that has changed from the original

Special Assoc. Prof. Dr. Warunee said during covid-19 children have to stop studying to have to stay at home May cause the immune system of children who have to respond to the environment is reduced. In addition, if a child is infected with COVID-19 and remains in the body for a long time and the immunity is continuously stimulated May result in the appearance of the disease from the original change. Therefore, it is necessary to continue to monitor. Parents are advised to keep an eye on their child’s symptoms such as low-grade fever, refusing to eat. Notice the blisters on the body. And the child may have pain and itching all over the body. If found, immediately take him to see a doctor. due to frequent weather changes Including children going to school are gathered together. May be easily infected. However, in the rainy season, the weather is humid. Children are more likely to be infected with lower respiratory tract infections and hand, foot and mouth disease.