Tomato Flu
.jpg)
The infection has been named ‘tomato flu’ because of the red, painful blisters that appear on a patient’s body and gradually enlarge to the size of a tomato.
- The ‘tomato flu’ is caused by Coxsackievirus A 16.
- It belongs to the Enterovirus family.
- The enteroviruses are an ancient and important group of RNA viruses.
- Humans are the only hosts for the enteroviruses (NPEVs).
- The infectious disease is caused by intestinal viruses and is rare in adults as they usually have immune systems strong enough to defend them from the virus.
- Transmission:
- Tomato flu is very contagious and children are at increased risk of exposure to tomato flu as viral infections are common in this age group and spread is likely to be through close contact.
- If the outbreak of tomato flu in children is not controlled and prevented, transmission might lead to serious consequences by spreading in adults as well.
- 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.
- As with other viral infections, further symptoms include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, swelling of joints, body aches, and common influenza-like symptoms, which are similar to those manifested in dengue.
- Treatment:
- This flu is a self-limiting one and there is no specific drug for this.
- The treatment for tomato flu is similar to the treatment of chikungunya, dengue and hand, foot, and mouth disease.
- Patients are advised to isolate, rest, plenty of fluids, and hot water sponge for the relief of irritation and rashes.
