What is the ‘tomato flu’, which has infected over 100 children in India

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Researchers from India and Australia reported last Wednesday (17), in the scientific journal The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, the emergence of a new disease, known as “tomato flu” or “tomato fever”.

The first records of the disease occurred in southern India, in the state of Kerala, on May 6. As of July 26, more than 80 children under five living in the region had contracted the infection. Another 26 cases in children aged between one and nine were also reported in Odisha, in the east of the country.

According to scientists, the tomato flu causes symptoms similar to those seen in Covid patients, but the diseases are not related. They suspect it may be an after-effect of chikungunya or dengue, rather than a viral infection, or a variant of hand-foot-and-mouth disease, which mostly affects children under five.

The main symptoms seen in children are high fever, intense joint pain and the appearance of red and painful blisters that increase in size, hence the name tomato flu. Fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and dehydration are other reported conditions.

According to scientists, as the signs are similar to those of other viral infections, the disease is confirmed after molecular and serological tests rule out the diagnosis of dengue, chikungunya, zika and varicella-zoster.

The treatment is also similar. There is no vaccine or specific medication, and doctors recommend isolation, rest and fluid intake, in addition to painkillers.

“Similar to other types of flu, tomato flu is very contagious. Therefore, it is mandatory to follow careful isolation of confirmed or suspected cases and other precautionary measures to prevent the outbreak of tomato flu virus from Kerala to other parts of the country. India”, say the authors.

The group states that isolation should be followed for five to seven days from the onset of symptoms to prevent the spread of infection and that the best form of prevention is to maintain hygiene and cleaning measures.

They also recommend preventing infected children from sharing toys, clothes, food or other items with peers.

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