The concern about this virus is not the high fever it causes, but rather that it affects especially children under the age of five, and it is highly contagious.
The health authorities in the affected states of India responded quickly and were placed on high alert. Within a week of the first case in Kerala, the government began introducing mandatory screening of children under the age of five in their state.
Let us learn in this report the causes and symptoms of this virus, and what is the relationship of its name to tomatoes.
26 kids detected with Tomato Flu in #Odisha #TomatoFluhttps://t.co/X6VK5NhkUs
– OTV (@otvnews) May 24, 2022
Tomato influenza is an inexplicable viral disease that is currently spreading mainly in Kerala, India.
The name tomato flu comes from the main symptoms of this disease, which is the appearance of blisters in the form of tomatoes on several parts of the body.
The blisters start out as small, red pimples that, when enlarged, resemble the shape of a tomato.
Affected children also suffer from skin irritation and severe dehydration problems.
“It is not a life-threatening disease, but it is contagious, and it can spread from person to person, although the real ways of spreading the infection are still being investigated,” Dr. Subhash Chandra, at Amrita Hospital, India, tells India Today.
The symptoms of tomato flu are similar to chikungunya infection or dengue fever. The main symptoms that have been identified for this infectious disease are as follows:
Large, red, spherical blisters on multiple parts of the body
Skin rash and irritation
Dryness in the body
high fever
Pain in the body
Joint swelling and pain
Some additional symptoms are:
– استفراغ وغثيان
Spots and discoloration on different areas of the body, including the hands, buttocks, and knees
Runny nose and sneezing
Coughing a lot
Abdominal pain and cramps
Constant feeling of tiredness and fatigue
According to Indian Express, this flu is a self-limiting disease, and there is no specific medication for it. This means that the symptoms will disappear over time on their own, if proper care is given.
The exact cause of tomato flu infection has not been revealed, and researchers and doctors are still trying to figure out what is responsible for it.
Tomato flu is an infectious disease spread by direct contact. It is common among children who go to school, due to lack of hygiene measures, and often put their hands in their mouths.
Infectious agents can also remain in a child’s body for several weeks after the infection clears, making them transmitters of the disease to other people.
Adults can also transmit the virus while interacting with children, without showing any signs or symptoms of illness.
Tomato flu is a self-contagious disease, in which signs and symptoms disappear on their own after a few days; Because it is a rare and newly emerging disease, no specific medications are available for the disease. Doctors provide treatment according to the child’s needs and symptoms. Doctors prescribe antipyretics and pain relievers to calm the symptoms.
The best way to reduce disease is to stop the spread of infection. As we all know prevention is the best cure in case of a sudden outbreak of unknown disease.
Therefore, you should avoid close contact to prevent disease transmission. Here are some precautions we should keep in mind:
Avoid immediate contact with the infected person
Educate the child about the signs, symptoms and their side effects
Avoid hugging, shaking hands and touching, especially those who have symptoms of fever or rash
– Commitment to hand washing and personal hygiene
Do not rub or rub the bubble and wash your hands every time you touch these blisters
Drink plenty of water, milk, or juice
Isolate the affected child from other children to prevent the development of the disease.
All utensils, clothing and other patient tools should be separated and sterilized regularly
Use warm water to clean the skin or to bathe the baby
Eat a rich and balanced diet to boost immunity
It is essential to get adequate rest and sleep to promote healing
Tomato influenza is a rapidly spreading contagious disease, but it is not a fatal or life-threatening condition. Appropriate preventive measures and symptomatic treatment methods are helpful, but some symptoms require immediate medical attention, such as severe diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration, as they have adverse effects on the child’s body.