Tomato Flu

 As per the recurring pandemics, one more of that sort has appeared on the ground behaving as a variant of hand, foot and mouth disease which has been commonly affecting young children since many decades. In India, the case was first observed in Kerala in 2022, that has substantially created havoc amongst kids and parents. It has a viral origin in the family of Picornavirus(coxsackievirus).

It affects the children of ages 1-5 years. It is highly contagious. Symptoms usually appear after 4-6 days of incubation which includes:-

1.Fever

2.Loss of appetite

3.Irritability

4. Sore throat

5. Vesicle formation

6. Rash on feet and buttocks.

6. Pain in joints

7. Drooling of saliva due to ulcers in mouth

This disease is usually misdiagnosed as chicken pox or simple hand, foot and mouth disease. Blisters in mouth, palm and foot gave the inference and definitive diagnosis of Tomato flu. It is named as Tomato flu because blisters can grow as much as the size of a tomato.

Fortunately, it is not a life threatening condition and is acute in nature. It takes a time of 5-7 days to be fully controlled.

It's treatment comprises adequate rest, plenty of fluids consumption, isolation and maintenance of hygiene and also regular sponge baths to get rid of the itching.

It can be prevented by taking an influenza shot. But also, this disease has been seen spreading to adults as well if not controlled in time.