The world is still suffering from the economic, social, and health ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, a new disease has emerged in India.
'Tomato flu' or 'tomato fever' is a disease that has been detected in the state of Kerala, in India, and that mainly affects children under five years of age.
Tomato flu was first identified in the Kollam district of Kerala on May 6, 2022, and more than 82 cases of children under the age of 5 suffering from the infection have been reported in local hospitals. Nonetheless, the Kerala Health Department is taking precautionary measures to control the spread of the viral infection and prevent its spread to other parts of the country.
This rare viral infection is in an endemic state and is considered not life-threatening; however, this virus manifests itself with symptoms similar to those of SARS-CoV-2:
Fever
Fatigue
Body Aches
Skin Rashes
Although the virus could also be a new variant of viral hand, foot, and mouth disease, a common infectious disease that mainly affects children aged 1 to 5 years and immunocompromised adults. There is currently no specific drug to treat it.
The disease got its name precisely from the red, painful blister-like rashes that appear all over the body of those infected and gradually increase to the size of a tomato. They resemble those seen with the monkeypox virus in young individuals.
Tomato flu is a self-limited disease and there is no specific drug to treat it. Treatment consists of isolation, rest, plenty of fluids, and a hot water sponge to relieve irritation and rashes. Paracetamol is also given for fever and body aches and other symptoms of illness.
