Tomato Flu Symptoms: Emerging Viral Infection Signs

Tomato Flu Symptoms & Diagnosis: A Guide for Parents

Do you know that more than 100 children in India have experienced tomato flu symptoms in 2022? Tomato flu is a highly contagious infection that can be transmitted from one person to another. The condition got its name from red blisters on the body. These painful blisters grow to the size of a tomato.

Tomato flu is a rare viral infection that mainly affects children under the age of 5 in India. This condition has gained a lot of attention in different parts of the country, primarily because of its different symptoms. Read this blog to find out the common tomato flu symptoms and causes so that you can take proper treatment and preventive measures.

Tomato Flu Virus Symptoms

Symptoms of tomato flu are primarily found in children. These symptoms are similar to those of Chikungunya, which include body aches and fatigue. Below are the common tomato flu virus symptoms that need consideration:

• Large and red blisters filled with fluid in the skin, similar to tomatoes
• High fever among children
• Tiredness or fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Intense body aches
• Widespread rashes on the skin
• Joint pain and swelling
• Severe dehydration, primarily among children under age 5
• Stomach cramps
• Diarrhoea
• Discolouration of hands, buttocks, and knees from infection
• Skin Irritation
• Frequent coughing, runny nose and sneezing among children
• Loss of appetite
   

Risk Factors and Causes of Tomato Flu

The exact cause of tomato flu is unknown, as researchers are investigating it. However, it is found that this condition is attributed to viruses carried by mosquitoes, like chikungunya. Some medical experts and researchers also said that the tomato flu is a result of specific viral strains.

The Coxsackievirus A-6 and A-16 from the enterovirus family have the potential to cause tomato flu. These viruses mainly affect children under age 5. Frequent close contact with other children and a developing immune system in children lead to tomato flu symptoms.

Experts also shared their views that this condition is spread by contact with an infected person’s towels, clothes, sheets, or books, just like the causes of monkeypox. The possibility of this viral infection increases since common toys or surfaces that contain the virus are touched more often by children.

Tomato flu can also spread via contaminated respiratory droplets from talking, coughing, and sneezing. The incubation period of this infection is 5 to 7 days.

How Dangerous is Tomato Flu?

Several cases have been reported since tomato flu struck southern Indian cities. Most of the time, the tomato flu resolves without any serious issues. However, there might be certain complications which can be resolved through medical care. The consequences of these complications vary depending on the strength of the affected person’s immune system and the treatment.

No severe neurological complications have been clinically confirmed in tomato flu cases; symptoms are generally mild and resolve without sequelae. In addition, children under age 5 might experience dehydration. Even after seeing tomato flu symptoms in children, if it is not controlled or prevented, it can spread to adults as well. They should be in isolation to limit the spread of this viral infection.

Although it has serious complications, tomato flu can be cured. However, children need to avoid contact with other infected children.

What to Do if Your Child Gets Affected by Tomato Flu?

While avoiding close contact with other infected children, you should also take the other crucial actions if your children are affected by the tomato flu:

• Immediately contact a doctor or visit a health clinic.
• Maintain proper and healthy hygiene.
• Ensure your child is drinking water properly, and make them drink boiled water.
• Do not let them scratch the blisters.
• Sanitise utensils, clothes, and other things that are commonly used by the infected child to stop spreading the flu.
• Always use warm water for bathing.
   

Diagnosis of Tomato Flu

Since tomato flu symptoms reflect other relevant viral infections, diagnosis of this condition presents challenges for healthcare professionals. There are no definitive diagnostic tests for this condition.

Doctors implement a systematic approach using serological and molecular tests for diagnosing the tomato flu. These tests focus on removing viral infections like herpes, dengue, Zika, varicella-zoster, and chikungunya. After eliminating these conditions, healthcare professionals confirm the existence of tomato flu.

Physicians or doctors collect samples from numerous sources for a comprehensive diagnosis of tomato flu. Diagnosis is clinical and exclusionary; tests are used to rule out other viruses like dengue, chikungunya, and enteroviruses.

Treatment and Preventive Measures for Tomato Flu

A simple approach to treating tomato flu is to maintain good hygiene. Since it is a self-limiting disease, there is no specific medicine for the treatment of tomato flu. The treatment procedures are similar to those for chikungunya or dengue. Below are some of the treatment procedures for this condition:

• Taking proper rest is very crucial to recovering from the tomato flu.
• Patients need to be in complete isolation to prevent the virus from spreading to others.
• Use hot water sponges for skin irritation.
• Take paracetamol to reduce body aches and fever.
• Avoid scratching blisters to prevent complications.
• Use products like calamine lotion to treat the skin rash symptoms.
• Get adequate sleep to naturally heal from the infection.
• Get adequate sleep
• Consume multivitamin foods and minerals to boost immunity.
• Drink filtered water and stay hydrated.
   

Final Words

Tomato flu is a self-limiting viral illness with mild symptoms that primarily affects those below the age of 5. Understanding the tomato flu symptoms, causes, and risk factors is crucial for reducing the long-term impact of this condition.

Although this condition resolves without any serious issues, you must take appropriate preventive measures. You can manage the symptoms by taking adequate rest, ensuring hydration, keeping your home and surroundings clean, and maintaining a nutritious diet.