In News: Recently the tomatoflu 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.
