Following Covid-19 and monkeypox, a new sickness called tomato fever is now causing alarm across the nation.
The infection is unrelated in any way to the tomatoes. It is a rare viral illness, hence the name, that results in red rashes all over the body. Dehydration and skin discomfort are some side effects.
Another name for tomato fever is the hand, foot, and mouth condition. Although the condition is not lethal, it is extremely contagious. Scientists still don’t know what causes tomato fever, and they still don’t know which particular viral family is to blame.
About Tomato Fever
The disease known as tomato fever (or tomato flu), which is endemic to Kerala, India, is named for the red, rounded blisters it generates that resemble tomatoes. Children under the age of five are the primary victims. The illness may be a side effect of dengue or chikungunya fevers or a new strain of the viral hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) flu.
Causes Of Tomato Fever
Researchers are still trying to identify the viral family that causes children’s tomato fever. The viral hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), which is especially common in young children due to their weakened immune systems, is thought by many virologists to represent a novel variation.
However, Dr. J. Radhakrishnan, the health secretary for Tamil Nadu, verified that the infection spreading in Kerala is brought on by a virus variation of the HFMD sickness and should NOT be mistaken for a new illness.
Symptoms:
Children with tomato flu typically exhibit high fever, rashes, and terrible joint pain, which are chikungunya-like symptoms. Covid-19 users experience similar body aches, fevers, and fatigue. A high fever, joint discomfort, dehydration, nausea, diarrhea, and joint swelling are a few symptoms. People also brought up skin rashes.
The report also lists additional symptoms comparable to those experienced by dengue patients, including fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, dehydration, joint swelling, body aches, and typical influenza-like symptoms.
Preventions:
As with other influenza strains, tomato fever can spread. A person with the flu must be kept away from other people.
- Stopping children from scratching the blisters the flu generates is essential.
- Rest is also very important.
- Hygiene maintenance is also crucial.
- All utensils, clothing, and other items used by the ill person or kid must be sterilized to prevent the flu from spreading.
- Dehydration can be avoided by drinking more liquids.
- Warm water baths have been discovered to have beneficial effects.
Treatments:
There is no specific medication for the illness, which is self-limits. Excellent supportive care is necessary. Increased fluid intake can help prevent dehydration. A healthy diet should be given to the afflicted youngster in order to aid in a quick recovery. The afflicted child needs to relax a lot to avoid the disease’s long-term effects. Encourage the child to avoid scratching their blisters since doing so could make the symptoms worse
At The End:
Keep in mind that there is no special medication for this flu; it is a self-limiting illness. This indicates that if appropriate supportive measures are taken, the symptoms will eventually go away on their own. So, instead of panicking, be alert, take care, and abide by the safety instructions.