Science and Technology
In News: Recently the tomato flu was first identified in the Kollam district of Kerala, with more than 82 children younger than 5 years with the infection have reported by the local government hospitals.
What is Tomato Flu?
- Tomato flue/fever is a rare contagious disease of viral nature in humans whose origins are not yet known.
- The ‘tomato flu’ is caused by Coxsackie virus A 16. It belongs to Enterovirus family.
- It gets its name from the tomato-shaped red rashes that it causes on the body of infected individuals.
- The flu is said to affect children below five years of age.
Symptoms:
- The primary symptoms observed in children with tomato flu are like those of chikungunya, which include high fever, rashes, and intense pain in joints.
- Further symptoms include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, swelling of joints, body aches, and common influenza-like symptoms, which are like those manifested in dengue.
Treatment:
- Because tomato flu is like chikungunya and dengue as well as hand, foot, and mouth disease, the treatment is also similar — isolation, rest, plenty of fluids, and hot water sponge for the relief of irritation and rashes.
- Supportive therapy of paracetamol for fever and body ache and other symptomatic treatments are required.
Preventive Measures:
- Utensils, clothes, and other items used by the infected persons must be sanitized to prevent the flu from spreading.
- Fluid intake should be increased to counter dehydration.
- Proper screening by the health authorities.
Source: The Hindu
